After a weekend hiatus, the Met welcome fellow-promoted Bec Old Boys to Imber Court for Week 5 of the Counties League 2 season. The Clubs had two exciting encounters in Division 3, with a 22-22 draw at Imber Court last November, and Old Boys prevailing in the return fixture, assuring themselves of top spot in the process. The two sides have met each other eight times in the recent past and, although the Met have not come out on top since 2019, there has seldom been more than a single score between the sides.

The Met has had a more successful start to this year's campaign as Bec have recorded just one win so far and managed to add just two bonus points, currently sitting 8th in the table. However, the Clubs have yet to play the same opposition, so Saturday's game will be the first marker of their true position amongst the league's 12 competitors. Old Boys' first victory was last time out, against Old Wimbledonians who are currently second. Last season, Old Boys scored 115 tries on their way to the title but have found it a good deal harder in League 2, although the fluidity showed signs of a return as they put 34 points past Wimbledonians. Leading try scorers from last season, Joe O Brien, Oscar Tan, Mike Allen, along with leading point scorer, fly half Will Bearsdmore, all remain on the roster, so there will be a number of familiar faces at Imber Court.

The Met have struggled with regular availability so far this term although the results, happily, have belied the struggle. This weekend sees the return of Will Ferguson at openside, George Starkie returns on the wing and Kofi Butcher also makes a welcome return to the 1st XV at scrum-half. Conor Finch makes his debut but there are notable absentees, namely the hat-trick heroes from the Kingston game, Rory Payn and Huw Longden.

Whether the break between the exhilarating victory at Kingston and this week's encounter is a blessing or a curse, 80 odd minutes on Saturday will tell!