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Earth Titans

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Halifax

Powergen National Trophy

Round Five

5th November 2005

Earth Arena

Kick Off 2.30

Andre Bester makes eight changes to the starting 15 that gamely lost to Harlequins last week. The tight five has been completely changed and in come Carey, Hanna, Pienaar, Walton and McComb.

Hendre Fourie comes in at blindside after injury, hoping to re-establish himself in a competitive Rotherham back row. In the backs ND Monye makes his debut on the right wing with David Strettle moving to full back. And Michael Kirkwood starts for the first time at scrum half.

Earth Titans: 15 David Strettle, 14 ND Monye, 13 Greg Mitchell, 12 Lee Blackett, 11 Errie Claassens, 10 WP Strauss, 9 Michael Kirkwood, 1 Jarleth Carey, 2 Neil Hanna, 3 Attie Pienaar, 4 Rob Walton, 5 Gareth McComb, 6 Hendre Fourie, 7 Neil Cochrane, 8 Chris Hala’Ufia

Replacements

16 Joe Bedford, 17 Mike Whitehead, 18 Scott Donald, 19 Jon Golding, 20 John Rawson, 21 Nigel Conroy, 22 Louie McGowan

Halifax have named a provisional 24 man squad.

Halifax

From: Marsden, Marns, Emmerson, Hughes, Greenwood, Sanft, Bartlett, Eaton, Richardson, C. Mortimer, Blades, Gravil, Wilson, Smith, Jessiman, Lewis, Spence, Keane, Canning, S. Hill, Solomi, R. Hill, Dodd, J. Mortimer,

Although Rotherham have made eight changes to the starting 15 the side still looks very strong. This is a demonstration of respect to Halifax and a show of desire to winning the competition.

It will be intriguing to see how ND Monye fairs on his debut, reports from the A team suggest he’s very quick and very strong. Equally of interest will be Strettle’s move to full back. With the extra space afforded there, we may see more of David’s trademark lightning quick breaks.

Roth come into the fixture having lost two of their last five outings. However they were away to 2^nd placed Bedford and at home to top of the table Harlequins. Not disgraced in either, they will expect to proceed into Round six.

After gaining promotion from National Division 3 North last season, Halifax stuttered in their opening three games of the season. However in their last five games they have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1, the latter being at Mike Schmid’s high flying Esher.

At this stage of the competition 3 years ago the West Yorkshire side almost caused a massive upset, just losing 13-12 at home to Worcester. Halifax are not to be underestimated and judging by Roth’s squad selection, they won’t be.

Roth Admin Prediction: Roth by 12

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