Mersea Island are back on the Twickenham trail tomorrow when they entertain Powergen Junior Vase favourites Old Dunstonian (kick-off 1.15pm at East Mersea youth camp).
Victory could see Mersea win through to the sixth round of the competition for the first time. The Islanders have only reached the fifth round once before during the 1999/2000 season when they lost 24-22 to Old Wellingtonians.
Tomorrow's opponents, Old Dunstonian, were formed in July of 1903 from ex-pupils of St Dunstans College in south-east London.
They have mainly operated in London Division Four south-east since the leagues were formed narrowly missing promotion last year having won 22 out of 27 league games to finish third.
Last year in the National Cup they were knocked out by the eventual winners at the semi-final stages.
They are unbeaten in the league this season, winning nine from nine, and in the last round they beat Norfolk's Crusaders 47-3.
Mersea Island have enjoyed an excellent cup run, scoring over 200 points in four matches, three of which have been away from home.
On paper, Old Dunstonian's recent form and pedigree makes them firm favourites, but with a large and vocal home crowd Mersea will be looking to cause an upset.
After their gutsy performance away to Rochford last weekend, the Islanders are pleased to welcome back inspirational prop forward Danny Blacklock, along with Andrew Barnes, Andy Lamont, Jamie Sharrock and Dave Bredin.
Published Friday, December 17, 2004
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