Spalding RFC’s expected relegation from Midlands One East could be confirmed this weekend – but head coach Ben Williams insists that his side aren’t overly worried by their plight.
Having lost 82-12 at relegation rivals Newark on Saturday, Town are pretty much down and out already after 21 losses from as many matches.
Second-placed Old Northamptonians are the visitors to the Memorial Field on Saturday (3pm), with Williams expecting a “very tough game”.
Anything but a bonus-point win will see Town demoted back to Midlands Two East (North). Williams does accept that relegation is pretty much guaranteed now, but he continues to be buoyed by the attitude of his youthful squad, which has been hampered by injuries for much of the campaign.
“I was still quite pleased on Saturday,” said Williams. “We just missed that finishing touch to our play.
“In the first half, I think they came in our half three or four times – and scored every time. Unfortunately, they were just very strong in the areas we are struggling in, and it cost us.
“We picked up a few key injuries, which really had a big impact. Once that happens and a few tries get run in, you see the heads drop and the score got a bit out of hand.
“I think there’s no escaping relegation now. This weekend is a very hard game for us, we’ll just go out there and give it 100 per cent.
“We’ve mentally prepared ourselves for the drop and I don’t think it’ll come as a massive shock to the lads.
“What has impressed me is that many of the guys are already talking about pre-season and coming back early in the summer.
“It’s been a very hard introduction to men’s rugby for some of the younsters, but they’re showing the right attitude.
“I’m still feeling very positive about everything.”
As ever, Spalding have something of a selection headache ahead of the visit of the league’s top scoring side. Although Tom Duerden is hoping to shake off the knock he suffered last weekend, Sion Williams, Jim Williams and Luke Scotney all look set to miss out. Visitors Old Northamptonians have 80 more points than Town and boast a points difference that is 1,492 better off.
