The Mob travel to the Wirral tomorrow looking to build on last Saturday’s confidence boosting win against Nottingham with Head Coach Paul Turner warning his players not to underestimate the challenge ahead.
“Caldy are a great club and always prove tough opponents. We’ve had some great battles over the years. We have to continue our improvement after last weeks win over Nottingham” said Turner after a final training session last night.
Ampthill make seven changes to the starting fifteen that overcame Nottingham 43-32 last weekend with two changes in the pack and five in the back line. Hooker Rhys Marshall made an immediate impression on his Mob debut, scoring twice before going off at halftime as he continues his rehab from a preseason injury. He is partnered again by Harrison Courtney and Harbey Beaton in the front row. Aidan King impressed off the bench last weekend and starts this week alongside Kaden Pearce-Paul in the engine room, with Kennedy Sylvester on the bench. In the back row, Charles Rylands moves to the blindside, making way for Syd Blackmore on the open side whilst Tongan Valentino Mapapalangi starts again at number eight after scoring his first try last week in a performance that gained him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.
Paul Turner makes five changes in the back division starting with a new half-back combination in Charlie Bracken and Louis Johnson whilst in midfield last weeks’ 1664 Biere Man of the Match Fraser Strachan is partnered by the returning Josh Hallett. Brandon Jackson has scored on his last two appearances on The Paton Field and starts on the right wing, last weeks try-scorer Oran McNulty is on the left and vice-captain Josh Barton moves to full back.
Team to face Caldy:
1 Harrison Courtney 2. Rhys Marshall 3. Harvey Beaton 4. Aidan King 5. Kaden Pearce-Paul 6. Charles Rylands 7. Syd Blackmore 8. Valentino Mapalangi 9. Charlie Bracken 10. Louis Johnson 11. Oran McNulty 12. Fraser Strachan © 13. Josh Hallett 14. Brandon Jackson 15. Josh Barton
Replacements:
16 James Isaacs 17. James Flynn 18. Callum Norrie 19. Kennedy Sylvester 20. Charlie West 21. Rory Morgan 22. Evan Mitchell 23. Sione Va’enuku
The Mob are back at home next Saturday when they welcome Ealing Trailfinders to The Oiney Field. All members should have received an email with a ticket code whilst non-members can get in for only £5 with a ticket booked online by 6pm on Friday 4th
