This will be a big weekend for the Newmarket Club who have earned a home draw against Norwich in the semi final of the RFU’s Senior Vase competition. The winner will meet either Maidstone or Folkestone in the final of this prestigious event.

In London 1 a tremor was felt in Colchester last weekend when they lost in an away fixture at Letchworth Garden City. They still however proudly occupy second position in the league table but now only by the narrowest of margins. This Saturday Colchester face their big test at home against league leaders Thurrock. Tim Grimsey, the Colchester Head Coach will have worked out that Thurrock do not score so freely away from home and his side will take heart from their record at Mill Road where they average over 40 points per game. However, the Thurrock defence is formidable and against this strong opposition the fast running Colchester team will have to work hard to bounce back to winning ways. The Bury St Edmunds side are stringing good performances together and on this form will start as firm favourites in their fixture at home to Old Colfeians. After three defeats in a row Diss will be hoping to bounce back in a home encounter at their Royden Ground with Chingford.

In London 2 fifth placed Ipswich face Hampstead at Humber Doucy Lane. Ipswich will be buoyed by last weekends victory at Lowestoft and Yarmouth. Fourth placed Lowestoft and Yarmouth are on the road to Canvey Island seeking to maintain their status. Beccles, who look doomed at the foot of the table, have the unenviable task of travelling to Romford and Gidea Park the outstanding league leaders who are 7 points clear at the top of the table.

Stowmarket, highly placed in fourth position in London 3 travel to the bottom club East London with the prospect of a securing a double in mind. Sudbury entertain Wymondham at their Great Cornard Ground in what will be an evenly matched contest. Sudbury are closer to the foot of the table than they would wish and they will have to make the most of their home advantage if they are to overcome their opponents.

The highest ranking local side in the Greene King IPA Eastern Counties League 1 is Harwich and Dovercourt who sit in third position. They will be planning a show their strength in a highly attractive home fixture against second placed Wisbech. Ipswich YM are in fifth place and they will be expected to maintain this station in a home game against Crusaders. Woodbridge are also due to play this Saturday. The East Suffolk side, third from the bottom of the table, turned the tide last weekend at Ely and they will be hoping they have gained the confidence to take the points in a challenging home fixture against West Norfolk. Woodbridge’s North American Coach Drew Faultley knows his team must maintain progress if they are to avoid relegation.

In Eastern Counties 2 joint leaders Hadleigh have slipped up in recent weeks. They will however be expecting to redress the balance this Saturday at hapless Sawston. Mistley and Felixstowe face long journeys into Norfolk to honour their fixtures. Mistley travel to Norwich Union and Felixstowe are at Swaffham. Mildenhall Eagles enjoy home advantage in their game against high ranking Thetford.

In the Essex Leagues Clacton are on the road to Bancroft and Brightlingsea have a home fixture against Thames.

Simon Lord the Suffolk Competition Chairman is pleased that the Suffolk Plate Competition is getting under way again after the cold snap with Mersea Island entertaining Southwold.

The game at Colchester will kick off at 3pm. All other games are scheduled to start at 2.30pm.  

22 February 2012