Match Preview

MINT BRIDGE : SATURDAY 23rd April : Kick off 3.00pm ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Don’t know about anyone else, but it seems a very long time since our last game, with the late postponement against Douglas and then a week off. I suppose we better get used to it, with the long break coming soon (sorry no idea if the Douglas game is being re-arranged and if it is when. They are due to play a week on Saturday, so probably the first weekend in May, if it goes ahead)

Whether that game is played, and who we are playing next season may depend on results this weekend. If Waterloo win at Manchester (or we lose) they will get the third place that (we think) is need to play at a higher level next season. If they lose and we win we could still catch them with another win against Douglas, assuming Waterloo don’t get a double bonus point and we don’t get a bonus point this weekend, when we would be too far behind. If they draw (without a bonus point) and we get a bonus point win, it gets really complicated, as if we win both games with a try scoring bonus points, we both end the season on 91 points with the same number of wins and draws, but they currently have a much better points difference, so we may need two really big wins (if that is the next criteria). A try scoring bonus point draw for them (or a draw if we don’t get a bonus point) and we cannot catch them.

Enough permutations – the key thing is we need a win, to stay in the race, but also to end the current run of poor results with four games without a win (although we were very close to victory in two of them)

We first played Carlisle this season on the opening weekend in September, and despite us winning well (7v45) I don’t think anyone would have predicted how they have struggled (it was the game with two interceptions tries from Ben Dixon, and Dan Lowther marking his return with a try). They won two of their next six games (Altrincham Kersal and Vale of Lune) and picked up losing bonus points against Wilmslow, Birkenhead Park and Douglas, with their only big loss against Stockport. However since then it is just one win (home against Douglas) and try scoring bonus points against Bowden and Penrith, with them failing to fulfil five fixtures, seeing them penalised 20 points.

Their coach and Chairman are both stepping down at the end of the season, with a new South African coach rumoured to be arriving.

TEAM : This got me really confused, as I was sure it was quite different from the last game, but there are only two changes from the game at Glossop. Liam Hayton coming in for Ben Leacock, and Steven Nelson who dropped out late then, returning.

I was thinking of the game that never was against Douglas, when Robbie Collinson, Greg Wrathall and Dan Lowther were not in the team

The bench (this weekend) sees a return for Danny Barker, joining Dan Greenwood and Joe Cook (who both had been due to play against Douglas)

WEATHER : Dry and Sunny

I would say let's switch to Summer rugby, but I think we have a number of keen cricketers in the team