Yorkshire Carnegie
The Story of the Blues
On fire soon to be Peskie
By Zandra LaPoI
April 11 2013
So, here we are with two games to push and our Play Off destiny is now firmly in our hands. I was one of those who travelled to Goldington Road for the Play Off game last season. That day, although we were great going uphill in the first half, we lost out 26 – 20 and eventually failed to make the Play Off semi-finals.
So, here I am, armed with more stats than Stato on Acid, to bring you a preview!
We seem to be having a ‘rare’ run of form (thank you Baby Jesus, thank you), although they are making a meal of it and as usual putting us, the die-hards, through it! Last time I wrote a Preview for the London Scottish game, we were nearly bottom of the Form Table and our opponents were near the top. This time that table makes much better reading and we are sitting pretty, in fourth place, having won four and lost two out of the last six. Bedford, our opponents this Saturday, have won three and lost three. Interestingly in the league we sit one point behind The Blues and although we have played one game more, if we win on Saturday, we will go third!
However, way more importantly than that, if we win and Bris lose to London Scottish, who are still riding high in the form table, we will have made the Play Offs at Bris’ expense.
Bedford welcome us to Goldington Road on the back of a good away win against Cornish Pirates in the league and a decent cup win against the Scarlets. So who are Bedford’s main Danger Men?
This year Winger Josh Bassett is their leading try scorer with 11, interestingly only two of those were scored at home. Josh, an England U20 Cap, was also leading try scorer last season and his talent has not gone un-noticed as those Peskies have lured him to Adam’s Park next season.
Other quality players are Hooker Neil Cochrane and Winger James Stephenson, who will be playing premiership rugby next season with Wuss, who have seven tries each. Scrum half Luke Baldwin, who after last season’s game was rumoured to be joining us, is still there and having a solid season. Their points’ machine is James Pritchard who is doing well with the boot and has amassed 182 points in the league so far.
Another possible threat will be the Goldington Road pitch with its characteristic slope. Here’s hoping we can use it to our advantage!
So, what about us? Wee Stevie McColl is having a great run at the moment, his clinical finishing last Friday, along with a cracking defensive effort, was the difference, and brought the BP win home. We need another big performance from him, and hopefully Doc on the Wing. Josh Griffin, who has added a well-needed bit of clout to the centres, hopefully will capitalise on his cracking effort last week and have another good game.
I am not going to mention the Clegg / Ford debacle, we have debated that to death on the MB, both are capable and can perform when needed.
I am hoping our defensive performance will not be a case of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ and we again kick ass in that department and mirror last Friday’s massive performance.
I am hoping we sort our discipline out. It has been a constant problem this season and we cannot afford to be playing teams like Bedford with only 14, or less, on the pitch for 10 minutes at a time.
I am looking forward to this one, there are so many outcomes as mentioned above, a good win and some luck with other scores will not only see us in the Play Offs, but in third place.
I am part of a ‘Girls on Tour Gel Road Trip’, so this should be fun, although I might have to tell her I threw up three times on the train coming back from Bath the other year! Gel loves her car!
Alas there is one big problemo. At Goldington Road they serve pork rolls in Tiger Bread for only two English pounds. I would kill for Tiger bread, however, as I am the middle of sculpting my body to look like Sandra Bullock, there will be no Tiger Bread for me, or beer for that matter. I am hoping a massive Leeds Carnegie win will help me get over that massive disappointment.
Hey, at least we don’t support Leeds United!
Marching On Together
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11/04/2013 08:13
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:14:11:27:13 by Gelbel.
A big game is needed but we can't rest on on laurels and hope Bristol slip up in the final furlong. In readiness for their match v Budgies, I will be winding up the locals good and proper when I sport my Leeds Carnegie lanyard in our Newcastle office tomorrow. I might even take my thermal mug for my cuppas. Nothing like throwing a bit of fuel on the fire.
Tiger bread. Mmm can't wait - I can eat that on my 'body is a temple' regime.
I can totally understand you being ill coming from home Bath. the place makes me feel queasey. Any rumblings from you and your walking home. You've been warned.
Normally I'd be at this game as I have relatives not far from Bedford but once again events have conspired against me. Since the turn of the year the fixture list seems to have been designed specifically to ensure that I can't go!
We'd better get to the play offs otherwise my Leeds watching season will have finished at clifton lane last November!
