Newport told to cut out mistakes

The Forton Road outfit tasted defeat for the first time this season when they went down 30-22 to Nuneaton last Saturday and first-team manager Phil Gittus has urged his men to cut out the errors that proved costly in Warwickshire.

“We will be looking to learn some lessons from the parts of the game where we came up short,” said Gittus.

“There is no need for wholesale changes, we just need to cut out the silly errors, be more disciplined around the breakdown area and be more accurate in all facets of the game.

“Sandbach have had an indifferent start to their season, but on their day can be a dangerous team as we know from last season where we surrendered a 20-point lead to them in the away fixture.”

Newport should be boosted by the return of Danny Bournes and Nathan Parker tomorrow.

Bridgnorth could welcome back full-back Afeafe Haisila Lokotui for tomorrow’s trip to Derby.

Lokotui has missed the last two games through injury but is thought to be nearing a return. Fellow full-back Jordan Burgess is a doubt, while skipper Sam Griffiths remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

The All Blacks go into the game aiming to record their fifth win on the spin and maintain the pressure on the Midlands Premier top two.

Derby sit eighth in the table, having won two of their opening five games.

All Blacks boss Bryan Smallman said: “There are no easy games in this division. It is no good winning well one week and then following it up the next with a poor performance.

“It’s all about maintaining our form. We have played very well in recent weeks but we have to keep it up.”

Whitchurch go chasing a third straight success in Midland West One when they host Moseley Oak.

The Edgeley Park men will be looking to cash in on home advantage and follow up last week’s win against Malvern.

“We know it’s not easy to win three games on the bounce at this level, but if we can do that that it will be four wins out of our first six games and that will be a pleasing start,” said coach Scott Sturdy.

“We are aware that the wins we have had have come against sides in the bottom half of the table and we know there are some tough challenges to come. But we will keep working hard and strive to get better.”

Fixtures

Midlands Premier: Burton v Broadstreet; Derby v Bridgnorth; Doncaster Phoenix v Bournville; Lichfield v Sheffield; Luctonians v Scunthorpe; Newport v Sandbach; Nuneaton v Syston.

Midlands 1 West: Hereford v Dudley Kingswinford; Longton v Droitwich; Malvern v Bromsgrove; Newbold on Avon v Sutton Coldfield; Old Halesonians v Stourbridge Lions;Stoke v Worcester; Whitchurch v Moseley Oak.

Midlands 2 West (North): Leek v Crewe & Nantwich; Ludlow v Camp Hill; Newcastle v Walsall; Spartans v Veseyans; Stafford v Telford Hornets; Tamworth v Wolverhampton.

Midlands 3 West (North): Cleobury Mortimer v Cannock; Handsworth v Trentham; Harborne v Shrewsbury; Old Saltleians v Wednesbury; Burntwood v Eccleshall; Edwardians v Uttoxeter.

Midlands 4 West (North): Barton-Under-Needwood v Aston Old Edwardians; Bloxwich v Aldridge; Clee Hill v Willenhall; Market Drayton v Yardley & District; Essington v Rugeley.

Midlands 5 West (North): Bishops Castle & Onny Valley v Church Stretton; Tenbury v Stourport; Warley v Dixonians.