Match Preview

The Met welcome Worth Old Boys to Imber Court for the last match of this year. Worth sit just off the pace in fifth place although they are the league's leading point scorers and have picked up 7 try bonus points in their 10 games to date. Their four defeats so far have collected 2 losing bonus points, including one in the narrow defeat to the Met on their own patch back in September. Their other defeats have come against the other top four sides, including a very narrow defeat against Old Georgians (10-5). They lost to the side vanquished at Imber Court last week, Old Johnians 19-36, and to the league leaders, Bec OBs 7-31. That 31 points must have been a sickener as it was the same number as the Met totalled against them the preceding week. Clearly Worth will be out for revenge and a chance to get their title ambitions back on track.

The Met make a number of changes to the XV that was successful at Old Johnians. Sam Bailey returns to the front row along with Chris Padman; Rory Byrne appears in the 2nd row while last week's side-stepping try-scorer Jack Doswell replaces Will Ferguson on the flank. Chriis Holloway makes a welcome return in the centre and Will Jay is at full-back.

The three Old Boys' sides in the top four all have very winnable fixtures this weekend, with Old Johnians potentially looking at a second walkover against Wellingtonians who have really struggled to put out a team this season. Indeed, Worth may consider themselves one of the lucky ones, actually managing to put 80 points on them back in early October. Unquestionably, the Imber Court clash is a must win game if the Met or Worth are to enter 2024 at full tilt.