OLD Reds are confident that tomorrow's Somerset Cup quarter-final against Taunton will go ahead as scheduled (2pm) despite the recent poor weather.

The tie appears likely to proceed on the third team pitch because of the waterlogged condition of the remaining surfaces at Scotland Lane.

And Reds have named a strong squad for the match with the intention of trying to maintain an impressive run of form which has produced eight successive wins to lift Jed Hooper's team up to second in South West One West.

Flanker Sean Fox is set to line-up against his former club, while the home side are also set to call on the experience of players such as coach Saul Nelson, Dan Fry and Luke Nabaro in an attempt to book a place in the last four.

Two youngsters are due to make their first senior appearances for the club. Nathan Burnell, a winger who has impressed at colts level, is likely to be given a chance off the bench, as is utility back Callum Partridge, a product of Bristol Telephones, who has broken into the Somerset Under-20s squad and who started the season with a spell at Dings.

Team manager John Kimberley said: "It's a game we want to win. We're missing a few lads who are away for Christmas, but it gives us an opportunity to blood several youngsters and see if they're ready to step up into the league side.

"Things have been going well for us recently. The work Saul has been doing with the forwards has really started to pay dividends, people have been coming back from injury and we've also had a fairly settled side."

Two players – Ben Chase and Paul Todd – have left the club for Somerset Premier pacesetters Chew Valley.

Dings Crusaders, meanwhile, are due to entertain Clevedon tomorrow in the Charles Saunders Combination Cup quarter-finals (2.30pm), with the winners home to holders Avonmouth.

In the other half of the draw, Old Reds have already secured a home semi against Clifton, on a date to be announced.

Thornbury are expecting a good crowd tomorrow (noon) for their popular annual match against the PROPS Barbarians which raises funds for children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Whitehall are marking a visit home from New Zealand by former club captain, chairman and honorary life member Gavin Hickey by hosting a match on Sunday against the Dockers (1pm).

And resurgentBristol Telephones stage their annual Chairman's-verses-President's match on Tuesday (11am).

Old Reds (Home v Taunton, from): O Long, S Nelson, J Owen, L McCreight, L Wilson, C Pursell, M Dew, J Hooper, S Fox, M Woodward, D Fry, C Yandell, G Templar, J Steer, A Groves, L Nabaro, J Wilmott, J Woodward, M Coles, J Hall, N Burnell, C Partridge.

Source - http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Old-Reds-strong-squad-Somerset-Cup-quarter-clash/story-17699403-detail/story.html