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Quality of opposition has stepped up but Maids’ performanc­es have not

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The quality of opposition has stepped up a level in recent weeks and, unfortunat­ely for Maids, their performanc­es haven’t really followed suit, with David Mobbs-Smith’s men following up their 49-26 home defeat to Oxford Harlequins with Saturday’s 40-15 loss at third placed Camberley.

While Maids were once again competitiv­e for periods of Saturday’s game, they gave away too many soft tries at poor times to hand their hosts an insurmount­able lead.

Now, they face another potential promotion contender in the form of league leaders

Wimbledon at Braywick Park.

Maids head into the contest looking to rediscover their impressive early season form but with a team - and forward pack - beset by injury and suspension. It looks a tall order to come away with victory, but Mobbs-Smith and director of rugby, Myke Parrott, are not completely without hope.

“I thought in pre-season, after watching them and seeing who they’d signed, I thought they’d be the strongest side in this league,” said Parrott. “I think that even more so now having watched their videos. They’re an exceptiona­l side for this level and actually better than both Dorking and Sevenoaks at this level who were promoted out of this league last year. They're going to be a real tough challenge.

“They’re a well-rounded side, but like us, they'll play from anywhere and they usually execute very well. They have a high skill level but a good set piece as well. Unless they come to us on Saturday with three or four players injured or away, we're going to be in for a tough day. But we'll adapt tactically and just try to be better than we were last week.”

He added: “We’re still going to be missing Antonio Kiri Kiri through suspension, which I can’t really comment on because I’ll rant and get myself in trouble. We’re struggling as we're missing our best player for the key games, Camberley, and Wimbledon. Scott Prince has been injured as well, he’s another key man for us. Hopefully, he’ll be back, he trained last night so we might see the return of him. Niall Crosley is out after injuring his ribs, but Christoph Bart came through Saturday, it’s great to have him.”

Wimbledon lead the Regional 1 South Central division on points difference from Havant having won five of their six matches.

 ?? ?? Credit: Paul
Morgan
Credit: Paul Morgan

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