SUPERMARINE coach Sean Millwaters believes frosty town rivalries are thawing ahead of the second derby of the season this weekend.

Millwaters’ men renew battle with Swindon II in Dorset & Wilts One North tomorrow, having already got the better of their near neighbours at home earlier in the season.

Hostilities between the teams appeared to be much more muted compared to recent years when they last met back in November and Millwaters hopes that a more relaxed atmosphere will help produced another good game at Greenbridge Road.

“They are our local rivals but I don’t think there’s extra incentive from us to beat them,” said Millwaters.

“Over the years, there has always been some animosity between the teams for one reason or another but the last time we played them, it wasn’t there, which I thought was a positive.

“It was much better in terms of spirit and I think a better game overall because of that. We are looking forward to playing them again.

“If you look at where the teams are in the league, then on paper, we should beat them, but in derbies, anything can happen.”

Millwaters is set to be without a couple of first-team regulars for the game but the rest of the squad are hungry to get their boots back on following a fixtureless weekend.

“We have a couple of question marks over selection, which we will address before the game, and two or three guys who we would normally pick are unavailable,” added Millwaters.

“I think the players just want to play again. We had a social last Saturday and the thing that came across was they were champing at the bit to play, especially as it’s a local derby.

“We had a darts tournament after the Six Nations games and had quite a few drinks, so it was a really good social, but the main reason we are part of the club is to play rugby.”