Yorkshire Carnegie
Crunch time!
By Leemingtyke
February 9 2013
As the end of the regular season drifts into focus the play-off pecking order also seems to be taking shape. Newcastle will, of course, finish top of the pile and barring a disastrous loss of form it is looking increasingly likely that second and third places will be occupied, in no particular order, by Nottingham and Bedford.So that just leaves one play-off place remaining and with ourselves, Bristol and Cornish Pirates all fancying a crack at stopping the Newcastle juggernaut in the semis, a nail biting end to the regular season is in prospect.
For the mighty Green, Black and White hoops, how we fare in our next three Championship fixtures may well go a long way towards deciding whether we will be participating in the play-off party or saving a few quid by taking our holidays in the May half term instead of in the summer. If we can match or better our two rivals points haul over the next 3 games then we will be well on our way to the play-offs, if not then we’ll be giving ourselves a mountain to climb.
Quite simply, the next 3 games are massive.
| Leeds | Bristol | Cornish Pirates |
9th/10th Mar | Newcastle (H) | Moseley (A) | Doncaster (H) |
16/17th Mar | Doncaster (A) | Rotherham (H) | London Scottish (H) |
23rd Mar |
|
| Newcastle (A) |
2/3rd Apr | Pirates (H) | Bedford (A) | Leeds (A) |
First up - the seemingly unstoppable Falcons.
My Falcons following mate is absolutely convinced that they will lose one regular season game this year as a result of complacency creeping in (his words not mine). The nearer it gets to the end of the season without them losing, the more jittery he gets and he has earmarked this one as a possible banana skin. Whilst I can see his train of thought I think that if it is to happen, it will most likely be against a mid/bottom of the table side at the tail end of the season when top slot is mathematically secure. Whilst I would love to think we could turn them over I think a losing bonus point is a more realistic outcome, and we’d have to play well to get that.
Bris could easily slip up against their bogey side at Billesley Common but unfortunately I can’t see anything other than 5 points for the Pirates against the struggling Knights.
Next – Donny
Our probable defeat in the Falcons game sets up a huge Yorkshire derby at Castle Park from which a minimum of 4 points will be a necessity. Massive pressure on us and with Donny fighting for their Championship lives they will be extremely dangerous opponents. I predict a nail biting, high scoring photo finish with us coming out on top - just.
Bris should gain 4 points at home to Roth and once again, a five point maximum haul is looking very likely for the Pirates although their game in hand the following week should hopefully see them come back down to earth at Kingston Park (let’s hope that’s not the week that Falcons choose to slip up!)
Finally - Pirates
If my crystal ball (and my brain) is functioning properly then by this stage we will be neck and neck with the Pirates on 45 points with Bris in 6th on 42 making this game, arguably, the biggest of the regular season with the winner taking pole position going into home straight. Even more annoying then, that it won’t be taking place at Headingley!
I’m going for a nail biting 4 points for us and an lbp for the Pirates. I can’t see Bris getting anything other than an lbp at Goldington Road, especially as they have a tough B&I cup game against Cardiff the week before.
That would leave us in 4th with 49 points, Pirates in 5th with 46 and Bristol in 6 on 43 with the end of the season in sight.
However, there is one tiny little problem. If I were any good at predicting the outcome of rugby matches I would be writing this article from a sun lounger in the Seychelles having taken the bookies to the cleaners several times over – and I’m not!
Bristol could win at Moseley for the first time in 3 years. Falcons could stick 50 points on us. Donny, fighting for their lives, could turn us over and Pirates can beat anyone on their day in which case it would be good night Vienna and hello Leeds Bradford.
Probably best if we just enjoy the rugby and hope for the best.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
09/02/2013 13:44
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:10:18:57:17 by Gelbel.
Spot on post!
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Come on Ye Tykes!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote:almostatyke
Nice well written post Leeming. As I grew up south of Yorkshire I might use "was" insead of "were" but this is Yorkshire so when in Rome....
Spot on post!
Nowt to do wi' Yorkshire. Din't they learn thee t' subjunctive mood at thy schoil?
cf "If I were a carpenter", "If I were a rich man" ...
Is there an English teacher in the house!
What happened today will count for little if we can't turn Donny over next week.
On paper, our next five games give us an ideal opportunity to cement a top four place, but as London Scottish showed yesterday there are no formalities in this division. Perform like today, keep faith with our own players who have got us here, and a top four place beckons. All of the teams in contention have fixtures against other top 6 teams at some point, so, if Blues or Notts hit a sticky patch, then who knows. One game at a time for me, but I'm hopeful after today
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
If LC management can earn their corn in motivating the team we are looking good for the play-offs, realistically our ambition for the season, and a place from which we can build from next year.
I think it is all about showing the ambition that will want good players to sign for us, not least our sponsored Kirsty.
Our destiny is in our own hands, happy days!
Bedford host Pirates, and make the trip to Bristol, while Notts also travel down to Bristol.
Bristols other home fixtures are against Roth and Plymouth while they also travel to Jersey and have to rearrange a trip to Moseley.
Pirates have to visit us, Roth, and the Falcons, while Scottish and Moseley will visit the Mennaye.
On paper at least, we look to have the 'easier' fixtures over the next 6 weeks, but we will need to take full advantage, because come April, the final two fixtures throw up all sorts of possibilites. Our last two games are Bedford (a), and Notts at home, Bristol have 2 away games, Scottish and Falcons, while Pirates have Notts away and finish with Jersey at home.
An exciting few weeks in prospect, but I'd prefer our run in to that of our two main opponents. Let us hope we can do it.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Donnys situation is precarious but not irretrievable, especially as Jersey are playing Notts who will be looking to bounce back from their surprise defeat last week.
Donny must feel that if they can take anything at all from this game then they will gain on Jersey and if we show the slightest signs of having an off day or worse, complacency then they will be on to it.
Solid, professional performance required.
It will be a good indicator of whether we really have turned the corner and found the consistency which has proved so illusive this season.
