Playoff - predictions - National League Rugby Discussion Forum

For fun only.

Canterbury - Chester

Sweeney Delenda Est

Canterbury 5 Chester 0

Canterbury 5 - 2 Chester

Thanks Camquin for taking over N2N and doing a great job

canterbury 5 0 chester but good luck to both teams

Canterbury 0 - Chester 5

Game kicks off a 2pm, Canterbury so used to 3pm are still asleep and fail to recover when the clock ticks past 3pm.

What can we all expect from Chester then Deva, we can see they finished second and that they appear to have the best defence in the league, but are not prolific points scorers although they registered a decent tally of TBP's.

If you want updates on here they will probably have to come from your travelling faithful.....contributions from City Side fans are pretty rare, though somebody might follow this thread I suppose ?

In the absence of any actual Canterbury input, I have watched this pretty settled side home and away quite a few times. They themselves have defended much better this year and the ageing but very effective lock combination of Corker and Cadman have served them particularly well.

Their backs are pretty settled as a unit over several years and have also grown as a unit I think. Their half backs are named Smart and Best I think and apart from being Pronouns, they are quite accurate adjectives IMO.

They have arguably the best attacking full back in our league in Aiden Moss. All of the other backs are good too with perhaps Mackintosh the pick of the finishers ?

They are going to attack with ball in hand from all over the park and they are good at it. Plus there is a nasty slope at Merton Lane that takes some getting used to.

Perhaps somebody else will give to some more accurate and better informed info.....but FWIW they will be hard to stop on their own track IMO.

Darth, we can be a tough side to beat - especially at home where only Fylde managed to come away with the win this season - but our away form has been hit-and-miss. If we turn up and have confidence, expect a close game. On the other hand, I've also seen that when the doubt sets in it often leads to us leaking points and letting the game get away from us.

We've rotated a lot this season, lots of lads have come up from the seconds and have really developed, and this has really helped when injuries have hit because the lads coming in as replacements have slotted right in.

When in possession, we can really turn the screw; go through the phases and shift the ball wide, or keep plugging away to force penalties or go for the hammer stroke through the middle. Defensively we are tight when confidence is up; so many times this season I've watched strong sides camp on our 5m line for phase after phase only to return with nothing. When that confidence is gone, we lose that tightness, often conceding more than one try in quick succession.

If I'm being honest, we are another season or two off being ready for the step up to N1. But we have a chance now and the lads will absolutely be up for it. It wouldn't bother me too much if we went up and came straight back down, I think the exposure to better teams will improve us as a team.

Whatever happens next week, watching Chester this season has been an absolute pleasure. If we lose, we'll be there challenging for the top three again next year.

Alderman........I think that 'certainties' is a bit harsh. You have to allow that mid-season may, in some circumstances, improve prospects. Otherwise, I have to agree with you that it is a strong likelihood.

Canterbury are a good and attractive side with ball in hand, but from my limited experience of Nat1, they are not likely to be allowed that. They are not (IMO) dissimilar to the Bishops Sortford side that went up from our league, but not the BS side that now sits mid-table.

Deva.....thanks for your interesting input. I don't think you need to worry about the City Side camping on your line through multi-phase attacks.........you will either stop them consistently in midfield or will be kicking off again Ouch

In fact your biggest problem might be losing possession in their 22.

Canterbury 2 - Chester 5 . . Guy Ford hat trick

Run with it

Canterbury 5 Chester 1

Home advantage will be crucial, also Canterbury have a recent habit of doing enough to get the 5 points.

Would love to be there, but alas Cricket beckons.

RAID ON

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Camquin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 11408	Post Options Post Reply Quote Camquin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Playoff - predictions Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 22:15
	For fun only. Canterbury - Chester
	Sweeney Delenda Est

tigerburnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 3791	Post Options Post Reply Quote tigerburnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 22:18
	Canterbury1 - 4 Chester

Darth Raider Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 12 Mar 2010 Location: Sussex Status: Offline Points: 1775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Darth Raider Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 22:31
	Canterbury 5 Chester 0

WESTCOMBE RANGER Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Westcombe Park Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2299	Post Options Post Reply Quote WESTCOMBE RANGER Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 Apr 2019 at 23:10
	Canterbury 5-Chester 0
	The older I get, the better I was.

2 CAP IT ALL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List British and Irish Lion Joined: 26 Aug 2015 Location: Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 280	Post Options Post Reply Quote 2 CAP IT ALL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 07:33
	Canterbury 5 - 2 Chester Thanks Camquin for taking over N2N and doing a great job

Clueless like most Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 29 Jun 2016 Location: london Status: Offline Points: 594	Post Options Post Reply Quote Clueless like most Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 08:29
	Cant 3 Chester 3 Extra time no score Tries conversions and pens all equal. Coin toss stands on edge so second attempt. It’s tails but nobody called, refs fault. Finally, a boat race to decide and Chester out drink Canterbury to win promotion to Nat 1 and become everyone’s whipping boys. Good luck to both teams enjoy the big day.

greenpower Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Location: north yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 3351	Post Options Post Reply Quote greenpower Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 14:40
	canterbury 5 0 chester but good luck to both teams

fatbear Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Sep 2013 Location: Thame Status: Offline Points: 2875	Post Options Post Reply Quote fatbear Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 15:24
	Canterbury 4-1 Chester N2S to triumph at home again

Redted Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1083	Post Options Post Reply Quote Redted Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 15:41
	Canterbury 0 - Chester 5 Game kicks off a 2pm, Canterbury so used to 3pm are still asleep and fail to recover when the clock ticks past 3pm.

Deva Delinquent Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 24 May 2017 Location: Chester Status: Offline Points: 1969	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deva Delinquent Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 15:57
	Canterbury 5 - 2 Chester. Going with our form away from home against the best teams we generally came off second best. If we had home advantage then I'd be a little more optimistic. Gutted I can't make it to the game, so I'm putting my request in now for someone to give updates.

Darth Raider Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 12 Mar 2010 Location: Sussex Status: Offline Points: 1775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Darth Raider Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 16:56
	What can we all expect from Chester then Deva, we can see they finished second and that they appear to have the best defence in the league, but are not prolific points scorers although they registered a decent tally of TBP's. If you want updates on here they will probably have to come from your travelling faithful.....contributions from City Side fans are pretty rare, though somebody might follow this thread I suppose ? In the absence of any actual Canterbury input, I have watched this pretty settled side home and away quite a few times. They themselves have defended much better this year and the ageing but very effective lock combination of Corker and Cadman have served them particularly well. Their backs are pretty settled as a unit over several years and have also grown as a unit I think. Their half backs are named Smart and Best I think and apart from being Pronouns, they are quite accurate adjectives IMO. They have arguably the best attacking full back in our league in Aiden Moss. All of the other backs are good too with perhaps Mackintosh the pick of the finishers ? They are going to attack with ball in hand from all over the park and they are good at it. Plus there is a nasty slope at Merton Lane that takes some getting used to. Perhaps somebody else will give to some more accurate and better informed info.....but FWIW they will be hard to stop on their own track IMO.

Alderman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 09 May 2017 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alderman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 17:08
	Can’t help thinking that whichever side wins will become relegation certainties....

Deva Delinquent Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 24 May 2017 Location: Chester Status: Offline Points: 1969	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deva Delinquent Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 17:53
	Darth, we can be a tough side to beat - especially at home where only Fylde managed to come away with the win this season - but our away form has been hit-and-miss. If we turn up and have confidence, expect a close game. On the other hand, I've also seen that when the doubt sets in it often leads to us leaking points and letting the game get away from us. We've rotated a lot this season, lots of lads have come up from the seconds and have really developed, and this has really helped when injuries have hit because the lads coming in as replacements have slotted right in. When in possession, we can really turn the screw; go through the phases and shift the ball wide, or keep plugging away to force penalties or go for the hammer stroke through the middle. Defensively we are tight when confidence is up; so many times this season I've watched strong sides camp on our 5m line for phase after phase only to return with nothing. When that confidence is gone, we lose that tightness, often conceding more than one try in quick succession. If I'm being honest, we are another season or two off being ready for the step up to N1. But we have a chance now and the lads will absolutely be up for it. It wouldn't bother me too much if we went up and came straight back down, I think the exposure to better teams will improve us as a team. Whatever happens next week, watching Chester this season has been an absolute pleasure. If we lose, we'll be there challenging for the top three again next year.

French Connection Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 16 May 2017 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 661	Post Options Post Reply Quote French Connection Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 18:04
	Canterbury 5 - 1 Chester History shows that the home team almost always wins. Simple as that.

Darth Raider Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 12 Mar 2010 Location: Sussex Status: Offline Points: 1775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Darth Raider Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2019 at 20:49
	Alderman........I think that 'certainties' is a bit harsh. You have to allow that mid-season may, in some circumstances, improve prospects. Otherwise, I have to agree with you that it is a strong likelihood. Canterbury are a good and attractive side with ball in hand, but from my limited experience of Nat1, they are not likely to be allowed that. They are not (IMO) dissimilar to the Bishops Sortford side that went up from our league, but not the BS side that now sits mid-table. Deva.....thanks for your interesting input. I don't think you need to worry about the City Side camping on your line through multi-phase attacks.........you will either stop them consistently in midfield or will be kicking off again In fact your biggest problem might be losing possession in their 22.

Sedge Tiger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Sedgley Park Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Location: Prestwich Status: Offline Points: 8103	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sedge Tiger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 15:12
	Canterbury 5 Chester 0. I hope I'm wrong and I sincerely wish Chester all the best in their endeavours. Good luck fellas All the best ST
	Give him one with handles on

Runitback Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 22 Sep 2014 Location: North Status: Offline Points: 1220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Runitback Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 15:15
	Canterbury 2 - Chester 5 . . Guy Ford hat trick
	Run with it

LockNLoader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List First XV regular Joined: 30 Apr 2019 Location: Berkshire Status: Offline Points: 86	Post Options Post Reply Quote LockNLoader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 15:39
	Canterbury 5 - Chester 0
	#COYB

Raider999 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Location: Crawley Status: Offline Points: 4477	Post Options Post Reply Quote Raider999 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 16:13
	Canterbury 5 Chester 1 Home advantage will be crucial, also Canterbury have a recent habit of doing enough to get the 5 points. Would love to be there, but alas Cricket beckons.
	RAID ON

Thatbloke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 02 Sep 2017 Location: Newport Status: Offline Points: 1760	Post Options Post Reply Quote Thatbloke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2019 at 18:03
	Hey guys I like it - bonus points for play-off games - can these be carried over to next season as whoever prevails is going to need them in Nat1