It will be 100 and out for Owen Williams when he runs out for Bournville in Saturday’s National Two West match against Macclesfield at Avery Fields.
The popular full-back will join an exclusive club of Bournville players who have made 100 appearances for the club but it is also likely to be a bitter-sweet moment as it will also be his farewell outing.
Work commitments are taking Williams to London which leave a sizeable hole to fill in the side for the final 12 league matches of the season.
Williams joined Bournville from Stourbridge Lions five years ago and made his debut against Bridgnorth in September 2019.
He has since established himself as the club’s Mr Dependable, secure under the high ball, dangerous in attack and rarely missing a match and has helped Bourns make the transition to National Leagues rugby over the past four seasons.
Bourns supporters will have the opportunity to pay tribute to Williams on Saturday and hopefully give him a send-off with victory against Macclesfield who are making their first visit to Avery Fields.
Williams returns to the side having missed last weekend’s heavy defeat at Clifton, replacing his brother Rhys in the number 15 shirt.
He is one of nine changes to the starting XV with Dan Rundle, the try-scorer at Clifton, making his first start since the victory over Hinckley two months ago on the right wing.
Captain Ben Meakin is ruled out, having taken a blow to the head at Clifton, so centre Joe Jenkins will lead the side with Ben O’Sullivan partnering Harry Dawson in the second row.
Jasper Smith, who was unavailable for the trip to Clifton, returns at number eight with Clarkson McLeod back at loosehead and Ben Rhodes at hooker.
The other changes are at fly-half where James Mann comes in for the injured Joe Nellany and on the left wing where Nathan Decalmer returns.
Macclesfield will arrive at Avery Fields sitting 13th in the table but only five points behind Bournville who have dropped into the bottom half of the table following five straight defeats.
Macclesfield beat Bournville 31-28 when the sides met at Priory Park in the second round of matches in September but are still seeking their first away win since they were promoted from Regional One North West.
Bournville | 15 Owen Williams; 14 Dan Rundle, 13 Joe Jenkins (C), 12 Rob Knox, 11 Nathan Decalmer; 10 James Mann, 9 Freddie Morgan; 1 Clarkson McLeod, 2 Ben Rhodes, 3 Stef Thorp, 4 Harry Dawson, 5 Ben O’Sullivan, 6 Louis Mifsud, 7 Adam Shaw, 8 Jasper Smith.
Replacements | 16 James Weaver, 17 James Burgoyne, 18 Kieran Henderson, 19 Alex Evans, 20 Mikey Ho.
