League campaigns are entering their final furlongs, and Jim Clark's boys face a run of 3 home games out of the next 4, starting with the visit of Brentwood to Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday. A victory against the Essex men would boost the lads ahead of visits of fellow Regional 2 Anglia strugglers Chelmsford and Chingford in coming weeks, and set up a possible Great Escape.

After several frustratingly narrow defeats in recent weeks, including a 3 point loss to Norwich on the road last week, the lads will still carry confidence that their decent performances can turn into more points if they execute for 80 minutes. Hank Clements returns to 1st XV action alongside brother Harvey, with Leroy and Jamaul O'Neil completing another set of siblings in the squad. New signing Adam O'Leary comes into the back line behind a pack that has more than held its own in recent weeks.

Brentwood lie 5 places above Ipswich in the table and come into the game after back to back games against H.A.C., winning at home but losing on the road last time out. In the reverse away fixture Ipswich failed to cross the whitewash as Brentwood secured a comfortable victory, but in front of an expected lively HDL crowd we will aim to turn the tables tomorrow.

The Magpies make the short trip out to Woodbridge for their league fixture on Saturday looking for an upset win against their local rivals. Coaches Hall & Pickering have a strong squad to choose from, with youngsters Ben Andrews and Mo Allen holding down their places in a youthful team, marshalled by the experienced Dewi Llewellyn from fly-half. The emergence of youth through the 2nd XV squad has been a real positive this season in what has been a tough campaign in Counties 2. The Magpies will be looking to put on a strong finish to the season, as a springboard into next season's campaign, with an extra year of experience under the players' belts.

The Mighty 3rd XV were chomping at the bit for their own home game tomorrow, as they started their Suffolk Cup campaign, however unfortunately Colchester were unable to raise their Roundheads for the fixture, so the 3s ease through into the Quarter-Finals in March.

Saturday night sees the senior disco at the club, with live DJ playing tunes from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Everyone is welcome for dancing, drinks, fun and games in what should be a good night at the club after the home 1st XV game and 6 nations on the big screens. Get your dancing shoes on!

After a string of hard-fought regional cup matches, many of the boys' youth teams have a rest week to regroup, plan and train ahead of the end of season run-in. No such rest for our fabulous Athenas though, as they head up to Diss to complete across multiple age groups in a regional Pitch Up and Play. Our juniors are in action at home as the minis host Mistley & Sudbury in what will be a busy morning on the pitches and in the clubhouse.

Go well to all those in Black and Gold this weekend!!