The Vikings host 8th placed Ventnor at Footes Lane this Saturday, looking to extend their unbeaten run to sixteen matches and keep their title hopes alive.

Ray Smart’s side return after an enforced rest last weekend, with their away trip to Overton postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The visitors from the Isle of Wight will arrive in the island buoyed by a big win at home over Fareham Heathens last weekend.

If the earlier season encounter between the two sides is anything to go by, this will likely be a very entertaining contest. Ventnor were a difficult side to break down on that occasion, showing huge spirit in defence to make the league leaders lives difficult. The Vikings did eventually run away 50-9 winners, but many of those scores came late in the game.

The Vikings last outing two week’s ago saw them secure a 35-5 victory over Havant Thirds, Ray Smart’s men come into this clash having scored some impressive tries then, but also with a point to prove to get back to their best performance levels, which have been missing recently.

Smart is able to call on several experienced heads for this weekend, but is also without one of the sides’ mainstays this season in Dale Rutledge. The talismanic scrum-half is needed by Guernsey Raiders for their trip to Westcliffe, meaning Lucas Barker will deputise in the no 9 jersey.

The Vikings are also without Dan Rice this weekend. The fly-half was injured during training ahead of this game and will sit this week out. The experienced Gearoid Lee will run the attack against Ventnor.

Both Taylor Quate & Joe Le Roux are still sidelined, but John Welbourne is available after being away from the island. He fills the outside centre role, partnering with Tom Veillard, who returns to the starting XV.

Will Forbes-Lee has been absent since October, but he returns on the wing. He offers a different type of threat to many of the Viking’s other outside-backs, as a taller direct runner, and it will be interesting to see how he goes on his return.

James Burger is not available, but Darrin Bellingham is included and adds some firepower to the Vikings front-row. James Mroch starts again at hooker, and he is joined by Tom Bray.

Keiran Williamson is another player who has not been involved in recent games, but the big young lock returns to the side to partner with Tom Creed. Jacob Smith moves to no 8, with Barney Paul on holiday.

Mitchell Smith is given a week off having played in the large majority of games this season, Tom Yarwood and Ivan Donaldson will start on the flanks.

The Vikings captain Matt Lomas is back in his regular full-back role this week, with Cam Le Prevost returning on the wing.

Tor Ritchie-Bandy is amongst the replacements having missed the last few games but will provide the reinforcements cover this week, along with Havant try-scorer Corey Wallis and Sam Ferry.

The game kicks-off at 1.30PM on the club pitch at Footes Lane. It is free entry and food & drinks will be available.

The clubhouse will be open after the match, so please do come down and support the boys in black & yellow!