Another double header this weekend at the Paddock. Now their league season is over the 2s play a friendly on Saturday against Old Colfeians while the 1s host North Walsham in a crucial National 2 East match. These two games come on the back of disappointing results in last week’s double header at Henley RFC; where the Seconds lost narrowly despite scoring four tries and the First team were edged out of a losing bonus point by a late Henley try. Both games were very competitive and as is often the case, managing the small details and getting to grips with the match officials interpretation of the laws proved crucial to the results.
Well, three games to go for the Firsts in what has been a real learning experience for the squad this season. We have adapted really well to a very high standard of rugby, having performed competitively, bar a couple of matches, throughout the year. We are now at the business end of the campaign with our destiny in our own hands (cliche alert!), with the squad fired up to tackle the remaining games. It would be a mistake to look ahead to the last game of the season at home to the already relegated Westcliffe and assume five points will be won. Nothing is certain in this league so our focus is entirely on the NW game.
Our visitors sit five points behind us in the table and showed how dangerous they can be when beating us in the corresponding fixture in early December last year. We will need to bring our A game to secure points from this match. We have undoubtedly played better at home than away this season - something we must improve on next year - so we are confident we can apply the intensity and our systems of play to compete effectively with North Walsham. It is also the case results have been better when we keep the penalty count against us down, so our discipline will also be a key factor.
Saturday looks set to be a bit wet for the last games before the Easter break, but what better way to wile alway a Saturday afternoon than supporting the 1s and 2s at the Paddock. As ever your vociferous encouragement is a big help to the boys. We will do our best to bring home the points that would go a long way to securing our survival in National 2 for next season.
COYO
Adam
