I've gone early because its a big week!

So onto week 25, in what one way or another is massive for some clubs!

Quick recap of as it was last weekend.

Stand out result has to be Blackheath’s home win.Taking nothing at all away from that, I wonder did Power had his eye on this week with some of his selections. You leave your skipper on the bench till half time, being one that stood out for me, but thats over and gone and Blackheath have given themselves a chance now of avoiding the drop, they might be £10k lighter in the kitty but they got 5 and Park, to be honest were grateful to come away with 2 points.

I said many weeks ago, that nobody has ever gone up from National one with more that 6 lost games, Park sit on that number now! I also think the magic number at the bottom will be 65 this season, get that or above Id say you are safe!

Couple of other bits of note from last weekend. Plymouth travelled with 18 for the 3rd time this season, that is so so wrong in so many ways for a club at National 1 level, but fair play they picked up a bonus point at big spenders Cambridge, which could be massive.Their cup final is this Saturday for sure.

Nathan Taylor joined the hooker try feast this year with 4, but missed out on player of the weeks, how has that happened?  but ended Rams season, to repay the derailing of Cindy at Rams in the first half of the fixtures. The question also asked is, the top two try scorers in National 1 are hookers, does anybody practice on how to defend a driving line out? Bring back Codling!

Stortford had a good win on the road, but they have to back that up and have a massive game this week in the route to freedom. Lastly, those Ravers carry on, not too sure if much contact was involved in the game against Taunton, but they have proved time and time again they can score. Wonder if Kevin Keegan is involved in their attack (for those too young look it up) you score 4 we will score 5!

So the fixture gods have given us this:

Bishop's Stortford 5-2 Blackheath: Look this is a must win for both sides.

Stortford had a great result at inform Moseley last week, Club upset the applecart and bank balance with a home win v Park. This will be a different game. Stortford can play for sure and if the weather is dry and they are at home, just like they beat Park a few weeks ago, I do fancy them. 

Leeds Tykes 4-2 Cambridge: This I fancy as an upset. Leeds had a dreadful first 20 minutes last week and it was game over. They did come away with a bonus but at home, in what is a game they must get points out of I think they will just get over the line. Cambridge nearly came unstuck at DMP a couple of weeks ago and I just think the need to know they have  to keep churning out 5 each week to just keep on the coat tails of those above and making no progress in the league position, might just get too much. It’s a lot different if you are top or 2nd hunting down top spot, but to keep in their position and not making a dent on those above and games running down, it  becomes very hard.

Plymouth Albion 5-1 Tonbridge Juddians : Albi’s cup final, no question its 5 points or a very good chance they could be going to Redruth and Barnstaple next year with a 15k empty stadium at home. Look TJ’s were unlucky at DMP, thats for sure, but they are already looking at the local sides in Nat 2 next year. It’s now or never for Albi and only 5 points will do. It does not matter if TJ’s pick up 1 or 2 as they are gone, but for Alibi its maximum or a trip down the A30 next year very simple!

Rams 5-1 Birmingham Moseley : Yet again Rams fall off the pace, they have 2 or 3 great wins but cannot back it up. What people do forget is this is only their 2nd year in National 1 and the time they have been in the league they have batted well above their weight, that is not a slight, they have been outstanding, but Nat 1 in grind and you have to churn out wins and performances week in week out, as anybody can beat anybody on the day. A home win yes as they are out of the race and can now relax and just play with no weight around the result.

Rosslyn Park 5-2 Caldy : Where to start? Heart says Id love Caldy to win this, if nothing more than to say you can spend as much as you like, you can have players on loan coming in and out each week at a drop of the hat, but it cannot buy you success. But my head does say the amount of ammo the city slickers have and being on the plastic, with the Kings road bars shut and redirected to boost the “massive home support” at The Rock they win it. 

However I would so so love to be wrong. 

So I think a couple of things in this game will define the final league. 1) how many points Caldy can get out the game 1-2-3-4 or 5. Even if Caldy lose but come away with 2 points its not over, because they have won more games and that may well be key 2) a 5-0 to Park might signal the end to this brave brave quest  3) If Caldy were to win (and I love an underdog) that might well spell the end to Parks pop at going up.

For sure Power won’t be leaving his best players on the bench this week as that came back to bite him on the backside last week and a very big mistake. I’d love to know who wins the Cokanasigna battle with Ldn Irish this week, or if he is Esher bound to help them out, because that is a joke week in week out, who plays 9 for Park and what Park have from Irish at tight head. All these will make a massive difference to the final score I’d say, but what do I know?

 As for Caldy, they will travel on the day, turn up and just play, although Nicky Royal will be a handful on the plastic and if Big Truck and JJ can get up a head of steam, they will be a handful as well, but as Big E says win or lose ….good luck to both, I hope my heart is correct Caldy in the Champ, fair play!!

Sale 5-1 Cinderford : This is Sales chance, they know their is only one side going to pick up 5 in London and  if they come away with the max, come Saturday night having had their weekend off they are really in the mix. The other thing to note in all this, if Ealing or Donnie win their appeal against the RFU/Prem Rugby/ CVC  or whoever is pulling the strings for the closed club these days, there is good chance 2 will go up. So every point will count.

Cindy’s season is over, they targeted last weeks game for sure and they will target the last game of the season at home as well, but for the boys from the forest its been a great season and all credit to Paul Morris with the smallest budget in the league along with Caldy they have also batted well above their weight 

Taunton 5-2 Chinnor : Game of 7s, This could be 65-64. Taunton will throw the ball about for the home crowd. Chinnor’s D and front 5 both look as if they are on roller skates at times, but with the sun out and both sides with nothing to play for this will I would suggest be an open game of rugby. Both as safe and both will go out and enjoy the rest of the season

As always, all said in jest. Big E enjoy your day in the smoke with The Ravers!