Bletcher in call to Newport

Newport coach Ian Bletcher has called on the club's experienced players to "step up the plate" after drifting away from the title race.

Bletcher himself is away in Portugal for tomorrow's scheduled Midlands One trip to Hinckley.

That leaves team manager Gareth Davies in charge alongside his team of experienced coaches – but Bletcher wants to see some of the club's veterans taking on a greater level of responsibility.

He said: "Gareth is a very strong coach, but we are really encouraging the players to take more personal responsibility.

"We've got some very experienced players here – the likes of Neil Weston have played at a very high level – so they need to step up to the plate.

"We had a bit of a meeting after the disappointing defeat last weekend (20-0 at Broadstreet) and he players have agreed to take the bull by the horns and put things right."

Scrum half Toby Mann will make his long-awaited return from injury if tomorrow's clash at eighth place Hinckley beats the freeze.

Craig Ingram, Ben Warrilow and Jonny Stiles are all out injured.

The Fishes took advantage of the indoor training facilities at Lilleshall last night.

It's all change at Shrewsbury for tomorrow's Midlands Four West (North) trip to struggling Moseley Oak.

The Sundorne Castle men's promotion chances were dealt a severe blow by last weekend's 17-10 defeat to Handsworth.

A complete overhaul to the starting XV is the result. Nick Challinor moves to hooker at Leigh Davies' expense, Darren Griffiths comes in at prop while Brian Jenkins replaces Neil Williams.

There are also recalls for James Plant and fly half Mattie Morris while George Adams and Simon Evitts replace Steve Owen and Gavin Everton.

"We really need to win all of our remaining games and hope some of the other teams can also do us a few favours," said spokesman and fly-half Morris.

By SEAN WOZENCROFT