“1881 Mob ready for the Vikings!”
1881’s Head Coach – ex Tongan International Hooker, Vili Ma’asi has named his team for the visit of Raging Bull Shield Division One table-topping Richmond Vikings!
Vikings come to Dillingham Park with a record this season of Played 13, Won 12, Lost 1! Their sole defeat was in the reverse fixture at the RAG in November when 1881’s came away with a bonus-point victory in a 27-31 thriller! The 1881 have seven games in hand over the league leaders having had a number of fixtures postponed due to covid and injuries and will be looking to get their season going in the Grange Jaguar-Land Rover Bowl tomorrow!
Both teams will field strong sides with a number of Championship players representing both the Mob and Richmond including 1881 captain Aleki Lutui – another ex-Tongan international.
Aleki is joined in the front row by Austin Wallis at hooker and Ampthill Academy graduate Pearce Holland! 1881’s have “big” Carl Burgess and Ali Gibbs in the engine room and a dynamic back row of Jack Spurr on the blindside, 1st XV hooker Billy Harding at 7 as he continues his rehab, and Matt Wilkinson will shore the pack up at eight!
In the back division, a new signing from Ulster Lewis Finlay starts at 9 with Jack Bergin at fly-half. Gavin Williams and Charlie Hudson form a new centre partnership whilst a back three of Bailey Thomas, Morgan Days and Will Partington will put the 1881s on the front foot!
Another three Academy graduates – Sam Garwood (son of ex-1st XV captain Keith), Harrison Wade, and Archie Barrett are among the substitutes along with Sam Stirling and Liam Everitt!
1881’s v Vikings Kicks-off at 1:30 in The Grange Jaguar-Land Rover Bowl! Entry is FREE this week so come along and see Championship quality rugby before watching the Guinness Six-Nations in the Clubhouse! As part of our ongoing fundraising efforts for Tonga there will be a bucket collection at the gate!
Vili Ma’asi ahead of the game “Vikings results prove they are the best team in this Division. We put on a strong performance against Esher last Saturday and if we repeat that energy and accuracy tomorrow we’ll put ourselves in a position to get the result we want!”
Starting XV – 15 Will Partington, 14 Morgan Days, 13 Charlie Hudson, 12 Gavin Williams, 11 Bailey Thomas, 10 Jack Bergin, 9 Lewis Finlay, 1 Pearce Holland, 2 Austin Wallis, 3 Aleki Lutui (c), 4 Carl Burgess, 5 Ali Gibbs, 6 Jack Spurr, 7 Billy Harding, 8 Matt Wilkinson
Substitutes – 16 Sam Stirling, 17 Sam Garwood, 18 Harrison Wade, 19 Archie Barrett, 20 Liam Everitt
