RUSSELL Tinsdale is urging his injury-ravaged Wimborne team-mates to maintain their concentration so that they don’t get sucked into a relegation battle.

Wimborne lost 32-17 at Oakmeadians last Saturday in Southern Counties South.

With only two wins in six games, it means that the struggling All Blacks are just two points above the drop zone ahead of their home clash against Tadley tomorrow.

Tinsdale, whose eighth-placed side are two points behind Tadley, said: “We’re in the middle of an injury crisis and have seven first-teamers injured, with another two or three players needing a rest.

“We’re not performing for the whole 80 minutes at the moment, and we need to improve on this or we’ll be dragged into a relegation battle.”

Mark Walter is on the bench for the first time as Rod Hutson and James Mikolajewski, who sustained injuries during the Oaks defeat, miss out.

Wimborne: Tinsdale, Murphy, Lynch, Peart, Day, Coulling, Davies, Morgan, Llewellyn, Roberts, Chapman, Lennon, Hamer, King, Maltmant. Subs: Napier,

  • Oaks should have a clearer picture of their promotion prospects after the top four sides clash in two games tomorrow. All are locked on 10 points with James Croker’s team visiting Corsham as Frome host Wootton Bassett.

Oakmeadians: (from) Tryska, Bell, Hare, D Stephens, Tom Flower, Tait, Landis, Hymers, Harman, Smith, Atkins, Riley, Stephenson, Hudson, Stradwick, Hokianga, Hicks, McMahon, Tim Flower.

  • Swanage and Wareham need a home win over fellow strugglers Olney to avoid slipping closer to the South West Two East drop zone.