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Fourth placed White Hart Marauders head into this weekend’s penultimate National Sevens Series leg in Manchester determined to continue their promising start.

The Marauders face Apache and guest team Sale Sharks in what could be a compelling Pool D on Sunday, played at Sale FC’s Heywood Road.

Two defeats to Samurai International at RugbyRocks (quarter-finals) and in the West Country (semi-finals) have halted the Marauder's progression so far.

Veteran half-back Howard Graham has stressed the importance of concentrating from the off on Sunday, to continue their progression in the Cup.

“Sale and Apache are two big games for us. We need to be challenging for the top four slot and if we don't get these group games right we could be playing in the Plate this week. There are not many easy games on the National Series,” said Graham.

An exciting back division full of pace has seen the Marauders develop into one of the most potent attacking threats on the Series. But Graham, acting as player/coach, has warned his team they need to firm up in other areas of their play.

“We've been turning too much ball over which makes us vulnerable as our defence isn't set and good teams will pick us off. We have improved at the breakdown since RugbyRocks which helped us lot in the West Country.”

Although youngsters such as Charlie Walker (6 tries), Jake Henry, and Miles Mantella have impressed Graham laments the fact he has been unable to bring in the calibre of players he had hoped for.

“The young boys have shown up very well, I've been really pleased the way they have come through each of the tournaments even before the National Series started. We have always tried to bring youth through each season.

“However we've struggled to get the bulk of loyal world class players out to play with them due to injury and non-release, so we've ended up with a very young team and a very old coach playing more then he would like!

“With the National Series there is more riding on each result. Obviously if you don't perform in one tournament it impacts on the next whereas before you can just reflect and move on.”