Millwaters expects big Bath win (From Swindon Advertiser)

Millwaters expects big Bath win

7:00am Friday 9th December 2011 in Rugby By Andrew Warren

SEAN Millwaters is expecting his Supermarine team to secure a big victory at lowly Bath Saracens tomorrow, but warned they face a shock if they take them too lightly.

The home side sit bottom of the Dorset & Wilts 1 North table, and have been on the receiving end of some big defeats this season, including a 107-5 home loss to Chippenham 2nds.

By contrast, Supermarine ran in 12 tries to beat Avonvale 79-5 last time out, which joint acting head coach Millwaters expects his players to replicate.

“All the indicators are that we should really romp this game, but these are there games where if you take your foot off the gas you end up in a dogfight,” he said.

“It is too easy sometimes to go into games like this and be too complacent.

“They came up last year and have struggled a little, but we can not afford to take it easy.

“With the brand of rugby we are playing we know we a expect a bonus point victory.”

Supermarine have scored more than 70 points in each of their last three home games, and Millwaters is pleased with the reputation his side is starting to build for themselves.

He said: “By beating teams by 70 points or more we are playing the rugby we want to play.

“Even in the three games we have lost this season we have been within a score of the opposition, so that is something which we are encouraged by.

“Teams in the league are looking at us and knowing they are going to be in for a very tough afternoon, and that is what we want them to think.”

The game presents a chance for Millwaters to give some of his younger players an early taste of first-team action from the bench, but the acting head coach will only do so if the situation is right.

“The present time is the most important, but we have to think about the future too, but we can not let up in this game and we need to be taking five points from the game, that is vital,” he said.

“This is a game where it is possible to give some of the younger lads a game from bench, but we will have to see.

“We have some very good youngsters coming through and we know they are going to be good in the future, but having a look at them now would be helpful too.”

Elsewhere in the division, Minety will be looking to keep the pressure on Supermarine with a victory at Calne, while Fairford face the daunting trip to second place Swindon 2nds.

In Dorset & Wilts Two North Cricklade travel to Combe Down.

• CAPTAIN Adam Westall believes Swindon have the perfect chance to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat to Witney when they travel to Olney tomorrow.

The fly-half missed the 22-0 home defeat after coming down with a bug prior to kick off, but will return to the side for the visit to South West 1 East’s bottom club.

“I am really up for this game, and so are the rest of the boys,” he said.

“I hate missing games but I felt awful after coming down with a bug, so I am very keen to get back into action.

“We are very proud of our home record and it hurts when we lose.

“I think we have only been beaten at home two or three times in the last two years, so that is something we will want to put right next time we are at home.

“We need to bounce back from that defeat, and I guess going to the team at the bottom of the league is the best chance to do that.”

The Buckinghamshire side lost 59-0 to High Wycombe in their last game, and have not won since the second game of the season when they beat fellow strugglers Buckingham.

Despite their poor record, Westall will not be taking Olney lightly and is expecting the weather to play a part.

“These are the sort of games where if you are not switched on you can be in trouble,” he added.

“I am expecting it to be windy and wet for the game, and that causes its own problems, particularly in my position.

“I am experienced enough now though to deal with things like that, so I am sure it will be okay.”

As well as Westall, Swindon look set to welcome back Charlie Vine and Jack Badminton after the pair recovered from injuries.

Swindon College Old Boys face the second of two tough away trips tomorrow when they travel to Berks/Bucks & Oxon league leaders Drifters.

Martin Peaple’s men lost 36-8 at second placed Thatcham last time out, and will be looking to fare better when they travel to Farnham Common.

“Drifters is the second of two tough games we play,” Peaple said.

“These games are a real test for us and anything we can take from them, even a bonus point, would be good.”

In National 3 South West, Chippenham travel to Bridgwater & Albion, while Wootton Bassett visit second places Grove in the Southern Counties North.