Promotion may be out of the question for Eastleigh this term, but they still plan to show they can compete at a higher level.

Eastleigh sit in third place in London 3 South-West and entertain KCS Old Boys tomorrow who are odds-on to claim the runners-up spot behind Farnham, writes Clive Downton.

There was not much between the clubs when they met in November – KCS won 11-3 – and Eastleigh captain Russell Smith wants to show his side can play at around SW2 standard. He said: “We are trying to make this game a really big thing for the club. In my eyes it does not get much bigger than this. We are riding high and they are more than likely to go up so this is our chance to show we can beat clubs at that level.”

Eastleigh will be without regular backs Martin Kirby and Chris Cove but Pete Noonan is back after a month out injured.

Smith added: “We feel confident but also know they are a very good outfit. Much of it depends on what they bring down here but they do not look as if they have travelled weak all season.”

Ellingham & Ringwood have not put any points on the board since December 7 – apart from being handed a walkover by Camberley at the beginning of February – and tomorrow’s task is a tough one.

The Es host runaway leaders Farnham who have only put a foot wrong once this season.

The five points handed to New Milton & District by the league, after their fixture at Old Mid Whitgiftian was not played, has been taken back following a successful appeal by the Surrey club and the game will be played on March 15.

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