BIG DERBY PREVIEW: Will Windsor pace overcome Slough power?

The clash between Slough RFC and Windsor RFC at Upton Court Park tomorrow (Saturday) promises not only to be a blood and thunder derby, but also a contrast in playing styles.

Visitors Windsor are the form team and will definitely have this clash chalked down as a must-win if they are to mount a creditable challenge for promotion from Southern Counties North this season.

They  have the benefit of going into the encounter with a comfortable win under their belts last Saturday over Swindon, as coach Paul Britton explained.

He said: “It was a physical encounter and not one of our most polished performances. We missed quite a few chances, but it’s one we walked away from relatively happy. It was a good day at the office.

“There was a 20 minute period in the second half when we got sucked into their style of play with the ball being kept close to the rucks.

“We needed to stay expansive and eventually we got back to this.

“To be fair, Swindon battled hard, but our backs, in particular, got behind them and over the gain-line when we had quick ball, and they could not cope with that.”

Britton was content with the overall team performance but picked out his scrum-half for special praise.

He said: “No.9 Tom Lawrence played well and was man of the match. He was put under a lot of physical pressure by Swindon and stood up to it well.  He cleared the rucks quickly, which was key, and scored one try and created another. He also combined well with fellow Kiwi Andy Harris at No.10.”

Taking this momentum into tomorrow’s battle, Britton was expecting success but also a bruising encounter.

He said: “Against Slough we are expecting something similar. It’ll be a physical battle as they have not had the best of seasons.

“Hopefully that 20  minute spell against Swindon, when we had to mix it with them, will stand us in good stead. But we will be looking to play our style of rugby.

“We are playing really well at the moment and if we play to our strengths we should win.” He added: “We only have two players who played against them in the league last time around, so I don’t think the derby angle will be a factor.

“We will prepare as we always do and we will be picking from a full squad which is pretty strong at the moment.”

The contrast with Slough could not be more stark.

The Greenies have just one win to their name so far this season and have been plagued by injuries, especially to their backs, which has left coach Paul Rendall frustrated, but he is looking on the bright side.

He commented: “This derby should be a great game. The guys will certainly be up for this and it should be a good game to watch.

“We are really struggling with injuries, especially in our backs, although the guys who have come in are doing OK. But I like the way our forwards are playing at the moment. I’m certainly not worried about their forwards.

“It might be a problem if their backs get behind us, but I don’t think their backs are that clever either. It should be a great contest.”

Rendall will certainly be hoping for a change of fortune, as last Saturday his side competed against Milton Keynes but luck and mistakes conspired against his team.

Rendall explained, saying: “The score was 10-5 at half-time and we had missed a couple of good chances. After that they scored from an interception when it looked like we would score.

“Then they had a penalty which just grazed the crossbar and bounced down into the arms of one of their players before our guys on the line could react. Things are just going against us.”

The match at Upton Court Park kicks-off at 2.30pm.