H&B urged to show united front

The rugby club will host Pulborough in round one of the Sussex Bob Rogers Cup eager to make amends for a surprise 7-3 loss away to the same opponents in Sussex One last weekend.

Chairman David Hirst said: “We’re looking for a marked improvement and really for the boys to gel cohesively as a team of 15. They have to recognise there are 15 players.

“We’ve got speed merchants on the flanks and we need to be using them. Ben Campbell on the wing is a seasoned player, but he only touched the ball three times in the game.”

That result has left H&B third in the league and already six points adrift of an Uckfield side which has won all five of its games with bonus points for scoring four or more tries.

Tom Spatchurst is expected to return at tighthead prop, Dom Sewell is likely to start at flanker having impressed as a replacement last weekend and Bruce Steadman may well come in at full-back.

Paul Sandeman is back at inside centre and Roger Roberts will switch to no.8 with Steve McManus set to rest a knee injury sustained last weekend. There is no Matt Harboard and Kit Claughton is still out with knee trouble. Kick-off at William Parker Sports College is 2.30pm.