Nat2S status 2019-2020

Darth, to say the opening three games has been a steep learning curve for the promoted teams is an under statement, for us at Sutton the fixture list has been unkind, I didn't see the Henley game where we were well beaten but the home game against Juddians was a humbling experience as they demonstrated a master class in punishing our mistakes, the only real positive for us in both matches has been that our set scrum held its own.The coaching team introduced four new players for this weeks fixture away to Albanians and by all accounts we were far more competitive, but then conceded 14 points in the last five minutes.It would appear that all of the promoted teams are in the same boat and will look to take points off of each other and look to pick up some home wins against some of the mid table teams to be able to survive.

Thanks for that Dave.......appreciate your candour.  you seem to have it exactly right.

I’m a Westcliff supporter, and I was never in any doubt about how hard this season was going to be for us. Our club was very split towards the end of last season about whether we should get promoted and make club history. We then lost a couple of last seasons best performers to Bishop Stortford, and another couple are in Australia and for an amateur club it’s almost impossible to attract players who will fill those gaps. One of two have come back from Uni, but some colts have had to be promoted into a level which is obviously a stretch for them at this time. Saying that the lads who have stepped up have performed well, Week one we probably should have beaten Dings at home, and this week we were greatly depleted when three other important players were at a wedding, and we went down at home to Leic Lions by just one score. I understand we didn’t play so well at BSE and got punished for mistakes made but I wasn’t there to see it.
We have a great coaching set up now, which I’m sure will keep working on improving the team and although I’m sure we will have tough days, I also think some wins will come.
Interesting game for us this week at Sutton who just beat us twice last season in Nat3. I expect another close game.

chinese dave wrote: ... We were well aware that the step up would be massive, but the professionalism and physicality of Henley and Juddians was definitely a shock and an enormous wake up call. ...

error strewn performance by Worthing today - fought back a bit after a very poor first half. Line-out in particular was a bit of a shambles.

I too was at the Redruth game and concur with Sweaty, in that our lineout malfunctioning to a quite alarming level, was the main cause of the defeat.

Darth,
Were you at Henley today? Didn’t expect that big score!! A bug test for us in two weeks time when we go to TJ’s a team we haven’t beaten yet, so fingers crossed.
For me the team so far is Leicester Lions, what a good start they have had, keep it up👍
Top two finish for us is still on, but plenty of twists and turns to come yet!!, one game at a time first!!

Darth Raider wrote: Oh......and by the way......very well done Rams.....great start to your campaign this year.....can you get second place ?  i hope you enjoyed your outing to The Athletic Ground.....it is an imposing place and in many ways, a nice reflection of your clubs progress

Darth, a club that doesn't have ambition will only go one way  

impressed by Tonbridge today - I am sure they will be there or thereabouts in the promotion stakes - ball retention is their thing and were rewarded for their patience.