HEADS up lads, one big loss doesn’t make a season.
That surely has to be the healthy thought processes Raiders take into Saturday’s lower-key but equally precious game at home to Towcestrians.
A victory will guarantee a London & SE Premier promotion playoff against Bournemouth with the prize being a spot in National Two next year.
But there is just a chance - admittedly small - that a big home win coupled with a stumble for Barnes at Sutton & Epsom (no mugs) could see the lads crowned as champions.
Whatever happens, the squad have done themselves and the club proud this year, so it would be great if the Garenne Stand faithful again turn up in their hundreds to clap them home.
The team news is mixed.
With the most likely scenario being a promotion play-off with Bournemouth, head coach Jordan Reynolds has opted to play safe with the likes of Douglas Horrocks and Luke Jones tomorrow while Dan Hill and Malcolm Barnes will not be risked either, although both men are progressing nicely.
In fact, after being virtually written of for the season, Malcolm Barnes is improving well. In other positive news, second rower Nick Merrien will be celebrating his 200th league game for the club.
The squad met for a private team talk this week and the immediate upshot was that they went out on Tuesday and trained impressively.
‘They have taken on the leadership of the situation themselves, which is good,’ said Reynolds who says they must not see themselves as failures, although the big prize was so tantalisingly close and they failed to grab it.
They have much to be proud of, which the coach recognises.
‘If we get into a promotion play-off, that’s an amazing achievement and something we have never done before. It’s still one of the greatest seasons the club has ever had.’
The 4pm kick off, later than the Barnes v Sutton & Epsom kickoff, was agreed months ago to assist with Towcestrians travel arrangements and it was not something the Raiders have done to seek an advantage.
Reynolds doesn’t expect any last-day miracles and is eyeing the likely play-off.
‘I don’t want to risk Luke because he is a massive part of our team and I’d rather him be at 100% for a play-off.
‘With the likes of Sam Whitehead and Luke Sayer coming back, it is important to get them the game time they need too.
Raiders team:
Steventon, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Hillier, Merrien, Martin, Le Cocq, Creber, K. Brown, Thomas, Whitehead, Campbell, N. Brown, Sayer, A. Armstrong. Replacements: Craine, Currie, Russell.