Knight: Havant can cause upset

Tomorrow’s hosts lost out in a close game at Guildford early in the season – and the senior coach reckons, with the right performance, his team can go one better this time around.

‘It is a big challenge for us but we have already shown that we can more than compete against the top teams,’ said Knight.

‘Our players love having a pop at the guys at the top of the league.

‘We certainly won’t be going out there just to make the numbers up.

‘At Guildford we raced into a lead, before they clawed their way back to snatch the win at the death.

‘They have gone well since then but we have also shown a big improvement.

‘Our win against Brighton last weekend was very encouraging because we worked well – both in individual and collective performances.

‘Regardless of the league positions, if we are at our best we are capable of turning Guildford over.

‘Games between us have been very close in recent years and I don’t see this one being much different.’

Havant make a few changes to the team who won the south coast derby.

In the front row, Justin Powell replaces Jack Ward-Golden, who has work commitments, and Ross Parkin returns to the second row after his Combined Services duty.

Joe Davis is free from work commitments so he re-appears in the back-row.

Full-back Pat Gains is injured, so Dave Sweeney takes over. On the wing, Jay Wilks comes in for Scott Morris, who took a knock against Brighton.

‘We are starting to show the confidence and belief needed to come out on top in close games,’ added Knight.

‘It is good that we are able to field probably our most experienced back-row.

‘For us it is all about individual aspirations and ability to progress collectively.

‘I feel we have taken big steps in these areas in recent weeks.

‘We are now more focused on our own performance and where that can take us.

‘Earlier in the season we were losing tight games and that has been one of the big frustrations of the season.’