BEACONSFIELD RFC can expect to have whatever’s left of their Christmas cheer knocked out of them tomorrow when they make the short journey north to take on Bucks rivals Milton Keynes.

The two clubs have clashed in two rambunctious matches already this season, both won by Beaconsfield but both firebrand affairs tested the mental and physical resilience of the players.

The first match was a 37-14 league victory inspired by comments on the Milton Keynes website considered disrespectful by Beacsonfield, and while they won the following weekend’s cup match too it came at a cost.

Prop Ed Middleton spent the evening in hospital after his ear was ripped open in three places, he says by the studs of a Milton Keynes player.

It’s just the sort of pre-match hype sports fans relish and although Beaconsfield head coach Allan Greene picked his words carefully this week, he knows there will be cordite in the air come kick-off.

He said: “What’s happened is water under the bridge. They’ve drawn a line under it and we’ve drawn a line under it.

“I’m expecting a very confrontational game, but we’ve just got to keep our structure and keep our shape.”

In normal circumstances, Beaconsfield would be favourites to win.

Ten victories in 11 has given them an eight-point buffer at the top of Southern Counties North and they returned from the mid-season break with an eight-try triumph over Alchester.

Despite losing the penalty count 14-3, they breezed to a 48-12 victory with Jerry Goss, Dan Wilson, Johnny Hughes, Will Holland, Alex Maire, Matt Morgan and Andy Zaire (2) all crossing the whitewash.

After a three-week break around the twin towers of Christmas and New Year, it was quite a return.

Greene said: “I didn’t have to say anything to the players before they went away.

“They are pretty much into their fitness and know what’s at stake.

“A couple of the lads actually sent out emails saying that, with no games, it was a good chance to get a few extra runs in.

“I’m sure they let their hair down but they didn’t let themselves go and for our first game back it was a good, solid performance, very clinical.

“The referee pinged us for everything so it was difficult to get any flow to the game, but we looked dangerous any time we got it to the backs.”