They may be top of the league but Midlands Division One East pacesetters Peterborough Lions are refusing to rest on their laurels.
This week the Bretton club brought in two new players to strengthen their already talented squad and more could follow in the near future.
Chairman Andy Moore said: “We’re top of the league and that’s where we want to stay. We have a few injuries starting to creep in and we have to make sure the cover is there.
“If we’re still top at Christmas we’ll be going for it - in and out of this league at the first attempt - and we’ll need a bigger squad.”
The two new signings are young centre Jordan Burgess from Championship club Cambridge and Namibian wing forward Francois Wiese from Stamford.
“We’ve already got Burgess on board and hope to have Wiese registered in time for Saturday’s game at home to Loughborough,” added Moore.
“Burgess is a real star and I can’t understand why Cambridge haven’t used him more. Perhaps it’s because he looks small but he certainly punches above his weight. He scored five tries for the seconds last week in our 99-13 win over Thorney seconds.
“Wiese is also very tasty and very sharp and can play anywhere in the back row.”
Although Loughborough are second from bottom, Moore says his players will not be taking anything for granted.
He said: “Results show anybody can beat anybody in this league and we have to stay on top of our game. We were lazy last week against Market Bosworth and almost paid the price.
“To play badly and score seven tries though is the sign of a good side.
“But they still got a dressing down from the coach Lee Adamson at training on Tuesday and know they can’t afford to let standards slip against anybody.”
For Saturday’s game (2.15pm kick-off) hooker Joe Roberts and flanker Chris Humphrey are rested.
At the other end of the table, Borough travel to fellow strugglers Kettering on Saturday.
Both clubs have won just two of their opening nine league fixtures and are desperate for points.
Coach Andrew Phillips has been pleased with the fighting spirit of his side for the past two weeks but is urging them to keep their concentration throughout the match.
He said: “In the last two fixtures we have shown determination and have come back at the opposition during the second half only to concede silly late tries.
“We must keep our focus for the full 80 minutes.
“We have the chance to gain points against our old rivals from Kettering as they are also playing well below their usual standard.
“Despite Kettering losing to bottom club Spalding last weekend I still expect an extremely tight encounter.
“If we play to our full potential then a win is certainly on the cards”
Fixtures:
ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP
Midlands Division One East (South): Kettering v Peterborough, Peterborough Lions v Loughborough.
Midlands Division Two East (South): Huntingdon v Lutterworth.
Midlands Division Three (South): Old Newts v Deepings, Stewart & Loyds v Stamford.
Midlands Division Four East (South): Oundle v St Neots, Stamford College OB v Thorney, Wellingborough OG v Bourne, Westwood v St Ives.
London Division Three North East: Wisbech v Canvey Island.
Teams
Borough: From - Chapman, Richmond, Harrison, O’Connell, Harlock, Kolakowski, S. Crooks, B. Crooks, Loades, Barringer, Brodie, Low, Beall, Gill, Peel, Sansby, Kennedy, Cullen, Van Der Merwe, Mc Menemy.
Lions: Van Niekirk, Story, Vinksna, Page, O’Connor, Andrijauskas, Sait, Singles, Ross, Steenberg, Vilimavicius, Marcisauskas, Guseinov, Praijanavicius, Sagoe. Subs: Burgess, King, Wiese.
Kettering were beaten 27-10 at Spalding, for whom young winger Harry Harrison stormed in for four tries. It was the Lincolnshire club’s first win of the season.
Wisbech struggled to field a side for last weekend’s trip to Essex to face London Division Three North rivals Old Brentwood. Only 15 players travelled and they were disappointed to only draw 12-12 despite playing the last 10 minutes with 13 players after Tom Long and Jon Turner had been yellow carded.
“We let ourselves down and are certainly a better side than that performance,” said skipper David Wadsley. “Hopefully we can prove that with a full squad against Canvey Island on Saturday.”
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