SLOUGH RFC's desperate bid to avoid relegation from Southern Counties North begins with a visit from Grove this Saturday (2.30pm kick off).

The Greenies return from the three-week Christmas break as the division's basement boys having suffered defeat in all 11 matches this season, including a heavy 122-0 loss at Buckingham on December 15.

Paul Rendall's team look doomed to return to Berks, Bucks & Oxon [BBO] rugby next season unless they can start winning matches quickly.

And even that appears unlikely with Saturday's visitors Grove in a three-way race for the title with Reading Abbey and Milton Keynes - who Slough travel to on January 12.

Drifters, champions of the BBO Premier last year, have been dragged into the relegation dog-fight after a run of seven straight defeats.

The Farnham Common-based club return to league action on January 12 and a visit from Berkshire rivals Thatcham, who themselves are just seven points from safety.

Despite losing their final two matches of the calendar year, Phoenix remain in contention for promotion into the Southern Leagues, currently 10 points off second place.

They will bid to reignite their challenge at Littlemore on January 12.

Elsewhere, Maidenhead's stay in National League Three South West looks set to be a short one with the Braywick Park-based club already 11 points from safety and with just one league win to their name.

Ricky Khan's team must beat fellow strugglers Malvern this Saturday (2.15pm) to have any hope of avoiding relegation.

Windsor will maintain mid-table respectability in South West One East with a win at Marlow on Saturday (2pm).

Paul Britton's team won six of their 14 matches before the Christmas break having won promotion through the Southern League play-offs.

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