An unusual-looking Met line-up takes on high-flying Old Hamptonians at the Old Boys' home on Saturday. A seven point victory at Imber Court on the first weekend of October steadied the Hamptonian ship after a heavy defeat to Chipstead. Since then they have lost only to OH Exiles and have subsequently established a 5-point lead at the top of the table, and look well-placed to continue an astonishing climb through the Surrey Leagues in this decade. Old Hamptonians have scored 479 points at an average of 36 per game, while conceding just 228. Fly-half Oliver Taylor is leading point scorer and again lines up with several Hamptonians who overturned a half-time deficit to beat the Police last time.
The Met send out one of their biggest front rows for some time, with Chris Padman hooking between Richard Borries and Jonathan Broadhead. New dad, Teddy Gardner makes a welcome return in the second half and James Dyson starts at No8. Kallum Rees starts his first game at Outside Half and Jack Doswell-Lowe bolsters the midfield at inside centre.
A win for Old Hamptonians should keep the gap at the top of the table as second placed Bec Old Boys will expect to claim all the points at Old Blues, and OH Exiles should claim a full house against lowly Worth OB. The Met's mid-table position is slightly more fluid. With just 11 points separating fifth from ninth, Old Whitgiftian will be hoping they can maintain their winning start to the New Year to beat the walkover kings at Old Amplefordians who notched up a routine victory over the league's whipping boys, Old Cranleighans. If the Met win in Middlesex, they should hope Whit's do too.