Blackheath RFC are currently in the ‘bronze medal’ place in the league, with 17 wins, 1 draw and just 4 losses to date, accumulating 79 points in the process, which includes 6 try bonus points and 3 losing bonus points.

Their top points scorer is fly half/full back Freddie Gabbittas, who has notched up 212 points from 1 try, 30 conversions and 49 penalties, whilst their top try scorer is David Allen who has raced in with 12 tries.

In the corresponding away fixture back in late September 2015, when DMPRFC were experiencing a particularly bad run of losses, Blackheath RFC won comfortably at the Rectory Field (23 – 7).

Being 20 – 0 down at half time, a comeback was never on the cards, although DMPRFC ‘woke up’ and shaded the second half, with a try from England Counties lock Rob CONQUEST and a conversion from Garry LAW.

Last season (2014/15), honours were even in the first ever games between the two clubs, with DMPRFC running out easy winners at the Arena in November 2014 (50 – 10) and Blackheath RFC redressing the balance back at their HQ in March 2015, in a very close encounter (29 – 27).

So the onus is on DMPRFC to ‘balance the books’ , which will be a difficult proposition, as Blackheath RFC have their own targets and ambitions and losing to DMPRFC won't be one of them.

Both teams enter the game on the back of defeats last weekend, with Blackheath RFC succumbing narrowly to the current ‘silver medal’ side Hartpury College RFC (15 – 9), whilst DMPRFC ‘went down fighting’ at Richmond RFC (14 – 7), where Tomas APPLETON scored the try, with Warren SEALS adding the extras.

Whether Blackheath RFC think the same or not, DMPRFC certainly could have won that game last weekend, but the Richmond RFC match report didn’t seem to reflect that, although a match report is just an interpretation of one persons observations and can often be biased at times - Guilty as Charged !!

Slight injuries obtained to one or two players during the ‘full on’ game at Richmond RFC have been addressed during the week and the DMPRFC side that will take the field will certainly be up for the challenge ahead.

Enjoy the game at the weekend and don’t forget ‘Go Park Go’ (A phrase made famous by a certain Mrs. Appleby – Long may it continue !!)