By stonehousealbion
March 15 2014

With the minor distractions of weather postponements and 6N rugby out of the way, focus returns to the Championship proper. OK folks, we're into the home straight for this season, with just a handful of games to go. We're back on the road again with one of the long hauls "Oop Nawth"; destination Clifton Lane - once the fabled "Land of t'Giants" with a narrow pitch, but a warm welcome assured.

Rotherham have certainly done well for themselves this year. When you would be forgiven for assuming they would struggle following the final departure of Andre Bester, things have come together and their playing style is no longer forward-dominated. It's paying dividends in the league and there is good money on Roth making it to the play-offs. There are even plans afoot should they triumph and make a returned to the so-called Promised Land of the Prem. On the downside, the chat on t'internet is that the injury crisis is biting hard and like so many C'ship clubs, there is not ideal cover for the gaps.

Back at the tail end of November, we didn't exactly disgrace ourselves against the Rotherham, going down 17 - 28 (0 - 4 league points; see link below). While Tom Bowen was on fire, kicking boots were in short supply and we just couldn't convert pressure to points. Roth did and went home leaving us "wi' nowt".

This article had been drafted with the expectation of success against Jersey on Saturday. Instead, the week will start with some post-loss soul searching and a renewed quest to find the elixir that gets the team firing on all eight. We have to re-read the hard-learned lessons of this season - we can compete with the front-runners, but cannot afford to stray from the rule book. There is no shortage of talent and ability in this squad and there certainly is creativity in the game planning and thinking at the top. The Pirates and sixth place remain within range. With some positive thinking and assiduous preparation, the "Clash with the Titans" is definitely an opportunity.

The Travel Club are unable to run a coach due to lack of numbers. Indepenedent travellers should contact the Club to check for match tickets.

Here is this weekend's full fixture list:

Fri, 21 Mar

Ealing Trailfinders v Jersey 19:45 Trailfinders Sports Club

Sat, 22 Mar

Moseley v London Scottish 15:00 Billesley Common

Rotherham Titans v Plymouth Albion 15:00 Clifton Lane

Sun, 23 Mar

London Welsh v Bedford Blues 14:30 The Kassam Stadium

Cornish Pirates v Nottingham 15:00 The Mennaye

Leeds Carnegie v Bristol Rugby 15:00 Headingley

Feel free to make a prediction on outcomes - top four and trapdoor slots are still far from certain...