Derby are aiming to continue as happy travellers
DERBY aim to maintain their perfect away record this season when they travel to face Old Northamptonians tomorrow (2.15pm).
And they hope to bolster their ranks before the Midlands One East encounter, as they look to add a new centre to the squad.
“There should be a couple of changes in the centres, we’re just waiting for the registration of a player from Loughborough,” said Derby head coach Mark Bradley.
“We are trying to bring a centre in because Jack Partington broke his hand in last week’s game against Oadby Wyggestonians and looks as though he faces six to eight weeks out. So we’re just trying to recruit a new centre and I’m hoping it goes through in time for Saturday’s game.
“Injuries are coming back to bite us again but there is good news, too, as prop Simon Moon is set to play for the seconds on Saturday.
“Hopefully, he will come through that and give us more strength in depth at that position as we go into the games around Christmas.
“I’m hoping Josh Bingham (flyhalf ) will be on the bench, he should be back in the squad.
“Lewis Hancock should stay at 10. He’s growing in confidence, he normally plays on the wing but he’s played at centre and at 10, too.
“He has relished the chance to shine and show us what he can do. He has been taking the opportunities with both hands.”
Derby are on a four-game winning streak after consecutive home wins, climbing up to second in the table.
Old Northamptonians are seventh and licking their wounds after a 50-29 away defeat against lowly Belgrave last Saturday.
“We have a 100% away record and it’s a challenge for us to keep that,” Bradley added.
“At the moment Old Northamptonians are up and down a little bit, so we’re not sure what to expect.
“One minute they have some good results then they don’t, like last week when they got thumped.
“We have just got to concentrate on ourselves and maintain our own momentum.
“We enjoy what we’re doing, we are playing with smiles on our faces, and we have just got to keep working hard together.”