Included in the East Midlands starting line-up is Peterborough prop James Clarke and a second row pairing of Andrew Phillips and Pete Kowlakowski, both former Borough boys now playing with Cambridge. On the bench is Borough's winger Chris Kells.

The match has been arranged as part of East Midlands build-up to the County Championship Plate competition which starts on April 26. Kent and Berkshire have been drawn with East Midlands in Pool One.

Peterborough chairman Phil Elmer said: "We are really pleased that once again our constituent body has chosen Peterborough to host such a prestigious match. It is a testament to the quality of our facilities in Fengate and the hard work undertaken by our ground staff to provide a superb playing surface."

Kick-off is at 7.30pm and admission is free.

East Midlands: Paul Ryder (Bedford Ath), Fernley Simmonds (Bedford Ath), JJ Raven (Ampthill), Ben Campbell (Bedford Ath), Peter Clarke (Bedford), Peter Vickers (Wellingborough), Darren Etheridge (Kettering), Andrew Grounds (Bedford Ath), Oliver Wills (Bedford Ath), James Clarke (Peterborough), Andrew Phillips (Cambridge), Pete Kolakowski (Cambridge), Ryan James (Kettering), Brett Daynes (Northampton Old Scouts), Andrew Dockray (Bedford Ath). Subs: Joey Hamilton (Kettering), Dan Banks (Towcestrians), Karl Perry (Leighton Buzzard), Phillip Lane (Ampthill), Chris Kells (Peterborough), Matthew Ireland (Bedford Ath), Charlie Barker (Old Northamptonians), Oliver Peck (Bedford Ath), Jonno Barton (Kettering).




PETERBOROUGH referee Nicola Reynolds will become the first woman to officiate at the big Mobbs Memorial match tonight.

Reynolds, who is in her third full season as a referee and is currently refereeing at level 7, is one of the touch judges for the game between Bedford and the Barbarians at Goldington Road, Bedford (7.30pm).

Reynolds refereed an Under 19 ladies international triangular tournament between England, USA and Canada in March 2007 and also officiated at the Marbella Sevens last year.




FLYING winger Duncan Stuart scored two tries before leaving the field with a head injury as Oundle firsts beat Stewart & Lloyds seconds 31-0 in a friendly at Occupation Road.

Lee Green, Josh Cutteridge and Mick Foster also crossed with Green adding three conversions.

And Oundle Veterans were also comfortable home winners, beating Deeping Veterans 28-0 with tries by Gary Sones, Iain Burkinshaw, Bill Gough and Chris Brown plus four Andrew Grech conversions.

Oundle lost Nick Langham after 10 minutes with a dislocated knee.




THORNEY Monks, the village club's veteran XV, warmed up for Saturday's game against Deepings seconds by sipping some 'Beeby Mead' (a potent cocktail prepared by Chris Beeby) and downing a pre-match pint to celebrate Andy Pryke's 40th birthday.

Small wonder then that they were 12-0 down after 15 minutes!

However, some strong words from Head Friar (captain) Mark Harris turned the game.

Pete Twiggs chipped in with four tries, a try-saving tackle and a match-long conversation with the referee to see Thorney run out 26-19 winners - not bad effort seeing as the Deepings side featured seven first team regulars.




THE Borough Under 15 B team beat Deepings Under 15s 31-12 after trailing 12-0 at the half-time interval.

Tries were scored by Caz Henderson, Michael Smalley, Ritchie Warlow, Jordan Burgess (2) and Alex Lenton.