Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 12:17pm

Hopkins praises rivals Hertford

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Andy Ball will be unavailable for the next four matches

BRACKNELL RFC head coach Ken Hopkins is hoping to see his side bounce back into the top three in National Three London at the first attempt.

The Lily Hill Park boys endured a frustrating time of things last weekend as their league clash at rock-bottom Haywards Heath and their Berkshire Cup semi-final at Redingensians both fell foul of the weather.

National Three high-flyers Hertford took full advantage to leapfrog Hopkins' side into third in the league table.

But Bracknell have the ideal opportunity to set the record straight and jump back into the top three when they visit Hertford on Saturday.

The Lily Hill Park side snuck past their rivals 13-8 when they met in Berkshire in November. And Hopkins is expecting another tough examination of his side on Saturday.

He said: "After Jersey and Old Albanians I would say that Hertford are the best side we have played against this season.

"They are an all-round solid team without any real weaknesses.

"We had to work very hard for our win the last time we played them. And travelling away to play them we are under no illusions about how difficult it will be."

The unexpected week off denied Bracknell the chance to build on their 69-0 win over Havant the previous weekend.

And Hopkins believes his side will now have to redouble their efforts in training this week to get back on track.

He said: "It was really disappointing because we were the only two teams in the league that did not play on Saturday.

"All the effort that goes on behind the scenes comes to nothing, which is very disappointing.

"That allowed Hertford to nudge in front of us into third.

"The season just keeps getting longer and longer. The only time we can really play this game now is April 24.

"It is frustrating because you are missing out on match practice. But also it affects our training because usually we tailor that around areas we need to improve from the weekend, which we can't do now."

Bracknell will be without recent acquisition Andrew Ball for the next four weeks because of a commitment the lock made before he joined the club.

But Hopkins is hoping to have two of his other second rows back for Saturday's trip to Hertford.

And the head coach believes last week's break may also have helped a few other regulars to recover from knocks.

He said: "Hopefully we will have Kenny Barry and Jason Borcherds back.

"We are waiting to see how Kyle Lovell and Tim Diack recover from little injuries. Graham Sparks and Ian Burch were also doubtful last week, but might be okay for Saturday. If there is any positive to take out of last weekend maybe it is that it has allowed those players some time to recover."