Match Preview

Since records began, or at least as far back as the results displayed on the RFU page (1998/199), Old Tiffinians have never lost their first 3 opening fixtures of a season. They did lose their first two in 2007/2008 and 2015/2016 respectively, but never three on a trot and this weekend, away at Ironsides, Tiffs will be hoping to maintain that record.

Despite losses to Old Cranleighans and Teddington in respective weeks, there have been many positives about Tiffs play and plenty of reasons to think the first W of the season will be found on Saturday. Yet again the set piece has looked strong with Tommy England seamlessly slotting into the pack and despite the early loss of Watkins in the opening game, the back line, guided by either Sharp or Taylor has shown it can still be dangerous.

The opponents this week have also suffered defeat to the hands of OCs, losing 18-16 last week, but started their campaign with victory over Weybridge Vandals 29 - 20. Last season Tiffs did the double over the South London side and no doubt the team based in Earlsfield will be looking for revenge this weekend.

Despite the fact that Ironsides have recorded a win this season, they are actually yet to record a try bonus point and have only scored 45 points to Tiffs 52. Their defence boasts a much tighter record however, conceding only 38 points in the two games played rather than the 63 points leaked by the boys from Summer Avenue. Tiffs will surely have to restrict Ironsides to less than 30 points to have a chance of winning.

All together, the fixture promises to be a close affair that may be decided by a few points or a refereeing decision. Here's hoping the history made in the 2017/2018 season isn't made for the wrong reasons.

KO 3pm

IFLOT x

Previous meeting 07.01.17 - Battersea Ironsides 12 v 20 Old Tiffs (London South West 3) Match Report: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldtiffiniansrfc/teams/153029/match-centre/1-2156572

Historical Results:

24.09.16 - Old Tiffs 33 v 22 Battersea Ironsides (London South West 3) W
19.03.16 - Old Tiffs 23 v 34 Battersea Ironsides (London South West 3) L
05.12.15 - Battersea Ironsides 27 v 20 Old Tiffs (London South West 3) L
01.03.14 - Battersea Ironsides 13 v 42 Old Tiffs (Surrey 1) W
09.11.13 - Old Tiffs 17 v 14 Battersea Ironsides (Surrey 1) W
29.01.11 - Old Tiffs 34 v 22 Battersea Ironsides (Surrey 2) W
23.10.10 - Battersea Ironsides 21 v 18 Old Tiffs (Surrey 2) L
17.02.07 - Old Tiffs 13 v 31 Battersea Ironsides (Surrey 1) L
14.10.06 - Battersea Ironsides 17 v 44 Old Tiffs (Surrey 1) W
07.01.06 - Battersea Ironsides 10 v 21 Old Tiffs (Surrey 1) W
12.11.05 - Old Tiffs 29 v 22 Battersea Ironsides (Surrey 1) W

Current form:
Old Tiffs - LL
Battersea Ironside - WL

Full Fixtures for Round 3 London South West 3

Away from Tiffs, the two other stand out fixtures from this round are 2nd v 3rd (Old Emmanuel v Old Cranleighans) and 11th v 12th (Basingstke v Weybridge Vandals). Whilst a win for Basingstoke could see them leap frog OTS, Weybridge remain on -5 points and so even a bonus point win would not be enough to see them climb higher than 11th.

Basingstoke v Weybridge Vandals
Battersea Ironside v Old Tiffinians
Old Emanuel v Old Cranleighans
Petersfield v New Milton & District
Teddington v Warlingham
Trojans v Portsmouth