Finsbury Park head coach Gareth Chapman wants a reaction from his side when they take on the Wasps this weekend.

Chapman’s side welcome the fourth-placed outfit to Downhills Park for a Herts/Middlesex One clash on Saturday.

And the hosts will be determined to get back to winning ways and remain second in the table after falling to a 13-8 defeat at leaders Hitchin last weekend.

“The Wasps have had an interesting season, it’s all gone their way, but the way we have to react as a club is by going out this weekend, showing what we can do and get a win back on the board,” said Chapman.

The former player is hoping to have a full squad available for selection – despite picked up a few knocks in the Hitchin clash.

“A few boys picked up a few knocks on the weekend, but that was more because of how hard a game it was,” he said.

“No serious injuries, a couple of bangs and knocks to the head, but hopefully the majority of the boys will brush them off for this weekend.”

He believes his side showed a lot of heart and fight in their defeat at Old Hale Way, adding: “If I’m really honest, there was a lot of heart from everyone involved.

“They had a very big pack and they really did outweigh us, they used it really well, and the rain probably didn’t help us.

“But the boys didn’t give them an inch. They scored two penalties and a penalty try so they didn’t actually get over our line which is something to take from the match.”

Chapman also feels Park learnt a lot from the match and will benefit from it as they look to gain promotion this season.

“I think they learnt a lot from it, we all did, so we’ll take it on and progress from that game,” he added.

“They came down last season, so we always knew it was going to be a tough game going away to them.

“It was always going to be a physical game and the boys really did front up and prove to themselves that they can withstand anyone in this league. It’s now about that next step as we look to get promoted.”