Vase trail begins for both football and rugby teams (From Gazette Series)

Vase trail begins for both football and rugby teams

DURSLEY Rugby Club set out on the road to Twickenham tomorrow when they welcome Abingdon in the first round of the Powergen Vase, writes Keith Watson.

The Stinchcombe-based side will be keen to bounce back from last week's defeat to Hucclecote and will relish the excitement of the cup competition.

Meanwhile, Wotton Rugby Club are in league action.

They travel to Dowty for a Gloucester Three South match.

In football, Slimbridge begin their FA Vase campaign with a home tie against Chipping Norton Town (3pm).

Town were at Wisloe Road only a fortnight ago and suffered a heavy 6-2 loss. Slimbridge manager Doug Foxwell will expect a similar performance from his side.

Should that prove the case, Slimbridge will entertain Hellenic Premier League champions Highworth Town on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).

That game will be off should a Vase reply be required at Chipping Norton on the same evening.

It is derby day in the first division of the Northern Senior League.

Berkeley Town play their first game in three weeks at Cam Bulldogs (3pm).

The Bulldogs have a few selection problems with Simon Penny unavailable and Jer Coburn serving a ban.

However, Town have not won at Everlands in three attempts during the last two seasons.

Over on the other side of Stinchcombe Hill, Kingswood play host to Sharpness (3pm).

Having experienced vastly differing fortunes last weekend it will be interesting to see how the game goes.

Kingswood are always capable of scoring goals but their defensive performances can sometimes cancel out their forward play.

An experienced Sharks outfit will be favourites for the three points.

Only one of the area's women's football teams are in action this weekend.

The young Dursley Town Ladies side face a daunting trip to Gloucester City Reserves on Sunday (2.30pm).

However, Town should be familiar with their opponents as City won the Dursley Sixes tournament in May.

Cam Bulldogs Ladies are the odd club out in the nine-team division this weekend.