Having been frustrated by Bury St Edmunds fourths calling off their Suffolk Merit Table division two clash last weekend, Halstead Templars will be hoping for better luck tomorrow when they host Hadleigh Falcons.

Bury forfeiting last weekend’s fixture handed Templars a 20-0 victory that kept them within six points of division two leaders Thurston.

Halstead are currently second in the standings and will hope to boost their title push with a strong show today against Hadleigh (kick-off 2.30pm), who they beat 62-7 when they faced each other in the return fixture at the start of November.

Templars have no fresh injuries to contend with although skipper Adi Illingworth is unavailable.

However, that news is tempered by Glen Stringer returning from a cracked sternum to fill in at hooker and Charlie Cooper also being back means that the number two spot is well covered.

Also returning is second row Chris Perkins, who returns from a back injury and there is good news for the Templars for next season as young centre Jamie Carroll finally has had surgery on his injured shoulder and will hopefully be fit for the start of next season.