Bridgeman knows there's room for improvement at Gosport

The Blue & Golds have endured a nightmare start to the season with three successive heavy defeats.

Bridgeman, who arrived in the summer, accepts that it is going to take a lot of hard work to keep his side in the league.

He is optimistic, though, that Gosport can get something against their mid-table Kent visitors.

‘We will look at it as a chance but as a team there is a need to step up to the plate,’ said Bridgeman.

‘Although we were on the wrong end of a drubbing at Havant last Saturday for periods of the game, some aspects went well.

‘In the first 20 minutes we had them going backwards in the scrums and our line-out held up pretty well.

‘Now we just have to learn how to defend and attack.

‘Our first-up tackling needs to be a lot stronger and, defensively, we need to concentrate a lot more.

‘We need to attack with greater pace and aggression.

‘It is very much a confidence thing.

‘Players have to avoid reverting back to old habits when things don’t go right.

‘As coaches we are looking for notches of improvement which will eventually bring the wins we need.

‘I envisage few changes to the team, with the players getting a chance to redeem themselves after Havant.’

The home side are hoping Wayne Dugan will return after missing the past two weeks through injury.

Fareham Heathens are looking to maintain their winning start in Hampshire one at Wellingham & Ringwood (3pm).

Locksheath Pumas start life back in Hampshire two against Southampton at Brookfield School (3pm).

The hosts were shocked to find out that they have been hit with a five-point deduction which has been carried over from last season.

‘We have been penalised for not fulfilling a fixture against the Isle of Wight,’ said Pumas team manager George Winch.

‘It is something that we will be appealing against.

‘We were in freefall last season but new coach Rich Rigby is working hard to turn things around.’

Pumas give senior debuts to prop-forward George Bray and exciting young centre Charlie Potter.