H&B ready for Horsham showdown

Redman takes his second-placed side to Sussex Division One table-toppers Horsham on Saturday February 26 knowing that a win will open up the door to claim a long-awaited spot in rugby's London Division Four South East.

"There is that feeling," said the talismanic lock-forward. "People are quietly confident. Saturday is important, but then regardless of the result on Saturday, we've still got to go out and win the remaining games.

"But the mood in the camp is very positive. We've been progressing week on week and we have to be confident, but I think it is too close to call. I think it is one of the strongest sides I've played in at the club. I've been playing there since 1987 and I think we've now got a good element of youth and experience."

H&B were comprehensively beaten in the reverse fixture back in September, but Redman doesn't see that result as a factor in tomorrow's return.

"We've strengthened our squad since then," he continued. "I think we know we've got a strong pack and we know our backs have improved gradually since the last performance when I think we just took it for granted we were going to win and we came unstuck. Certainly at the start of the season I don't think we were as fit as we are now and we've worked on far more aspects of our play."

H&B concluded their preparations with a 17-10 victory in a friendly at another Sussex Division One club, Crowborough, last weekend. Kit and Piers Claughton and Paul Sandeman, who also kicked one conversion, scored the tries in a match made slightly closer than it actually was by a late Crowborough score.

They haven't played a competitive match since January 22, but Redman doesn't believe this will have a detrimental effect on their performance tomorrow.

"No, I don't think it's going to have a bearing," he went on. "We've had tough work-outs in the friendlies and I don't think there's any such thing as a friendly in rugby, all games are competitive."

Martin Shepherd is unavailable as he is out of the country on business, but H&B expect to select from an otherwise near full strength squad, kick-off is 2.30pm.