Saturday's fixtures surprisingly see only one league clash throughout the area, with several other clubs either resting or involved in friendly matches.

So the spotlight again turns to Eastern Counties Four, where top-of-the-table Brightlingsea travel down the road to play Clacton.

Only victory for Clacton will see them maintain any chance of promotion but their hopes have been hit by injuries.

Fly-half Simon Hutchinson broke his arm at Mistley last week, and will be replaced by versatile fullback Nick Shattock, while they will also be without flanker-number-eight lan Beattie, who has a hamstring problem.

"We have a very weakened side but will give our best," said Clacton treasurer Dave Hutchinson.

"It's going to be a tough one for us to be honest and the odds will be against us, but we are hopeful."

Max Cochran returns to the side as Beattie's replacement. The visitors will be at full-strength following Norwich Union's 12.30pm cry-off last Saturday.

Colin Gould was not happy with the late call-off, but said: "We had 25 VIPs down for a post-match lunch.

"And all credit to them - they stayed on for the afternoon after hearing that the game had been called off and made a really good social event of the day.

"That just shows what a strong social set-up we have at the moment. We're at full strength for the match and raring to go, even though it is the tightest match in the division."

Brightlingsea see only one change, with Steve Barber coming into the second row and Neil Mathes reverting to fly-half.

Colchester, following their First London Two victory of the season last Saturday, travel to face Southend, who have not yet won a game in London One in a friendly.

The town club will be looking to expose Southend's recent poor form, the Seasiders having conceded 410 points in five games, including a 100-0 thrashing.

The 3rds and 4ths will also meet Southend opposition but strangely the 2nd XV game has been called off by Southend.

Colchester 2nds, who are top of the SW Essex League Merit Table, will have to wait to replay the league game later in the season.

The 1st XV sees the return of Pete Walker at tight-head after a long lay-off with a back injury.

Chelmsford 1sts are without a match while their 2nds and 3rds play Harwich and Dovercourt respectively.

Harwich skipper Phil Armstrong is looking forward to the Chelmsford trip with a side that will see several changes.

He said: "We will almost certainly be resting 18-year-old County scrum-half Simon Howard, who took a knock last week, and second-row Les Nicholls (calf).

"It will be an ideal opportunity for us to try out some new players in the 1st XV with a couple of second team players probably getting a run out.

"Dave Southgate, who started the season at tight head prop for the 1sts, comes back in at lose head where he has been playing well for the 2nd XV.

"We had a good 36-14 win against Beccles last week and are looking for a good run out with a few experimental positional changes."

Harwich also welcome back Chips Carter to the line-up after missing last week's win.

Mistley 1st XV do not have a game but the 2nds will be led by front-row Mark Watmaugh at home to Hadley 3rds in a friendly.

Club coach Nigel Brown, now a young 43-year-old, will join the second string in the back row. He said: "This is strictly a 2nd XV we are putting out.

"We have three or four first teamers on holiday and this is a chance for the seconds to have a bit of the limelight.

"It's difficult to coach and play on a regular basis so this gives me the chance of a run out. The 2nd XV is a very steady set-up and we are looking for a good game."

Braintree 1sts were due to entertain Bury St Edmunds but have called the game off due to having four props on the injury list.

Their 2nds and 4ths are away to Bury St Edmunds while the 3rds play the same club at home.

Braintree president John Leech, said: "The first team will have a well-deserved rest before they meet Colchester at Braintree a week on Sunday in the first round of the Colchester Cup (2.30pm start)."

Mersea, currently third in Eastern Counties Two, have a rest week before they take on Ipswich YMCA (EC 3) in the semi-final of the Suffolk Plate the following weekend.

First teamer Martin Guest said: "The boys need a rest and we have a very good chance of promotion.

"It's a very important time of the season for us."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.