The  PARFC v Chinnor fixture certainly fitted the bill on that front. The widespread feeling within this parish that the hosts could well be mullahed was probably feared, if not expected by the 1 000-odd Brickfields crowd. Lotsa big units across the visitors overall, soft going underfoot and still a lenghty Albion sick list. Weather was calm, overcast, dry and pretty mild.

As it turned out, Albion tackling and discipline had markably improved and most of the first half was spent in the visitors' half. But to no avail, in spite of a Chinnor YC. 0-0 at HT, although the rugby itself was more entertaining than the scoreline might suggest. (I can't honestly remember whether a PARFC pen deflected off the post was first or second half... The idea of more league points than match points surfaced briefly.)

Chinnor appeared a little over-keen by going through tackle bag drills prior to re-start. My own thoughts were along the lines of, "How can we keep the lid on this lot?" rather than "If we keep going, something's gonna give." Our visitors had apparently made the (short-ish) trip down on Fri, and certainly weren't suffering from travel sickness. So, as something of a surprise overall (but not actually, given our work rate), we ended up 10-3 ahead mid-half with the match timing running pretty late. Re-start at 16.00; FT at 16.45, or thereabouts. Eventually though, away pressure prevailed and the score was levelled to leave a nervy final period of play. It was a home player who kicked to touch to cement the shared spoils. Be interesting to hear the oppo version. (Edit:  https://www.chinnor-rfc.com/news/plymouth-albion-10-chinnor-10-2489565.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.chinnor-rfc.com/news/plymouth-albion-10-chinnor-10-2489565.html )

Ahead of a visit to the RAG next Sat, a win would have been very welcome - the omens/form book for that encounter didn't bide too well until I spotted the Sale result. But we didn't get "mullahed" by any means. So hey,ho - the topsy-turvy "mid" table still appears to stretch from 5th - 13th. And we're pretty much where we were at this stage a year ago.

"Finest scotch and shotgun not required in the Study just yet, thank you Jeeves."

Is it not the other way round this year. With both Cant and Hull getting next to no points, the 3rd from bottom side will have amassed a lot of points. 

So won't you as the 3rd to bottom side need more than ever to be safe?

When Manchester got no points newbury went down on 61 but Otley stayed up on 63.

The following year Redruth went down on 62 (which I think is the highest points not to survive) and the other relegated teams got 44 and 45 (57 more points than the previous years bottom two teams).

Last season Caldy went down on 62, with Esher on 61 and Students on 58.

So there does nto seem to be much correlation.

Just ensure you get 63 or more points and hope it is not a record breaking year.

stonehousealbion wrote: we ended up 10-3 ahead mid-half with the match timing running pretty late. Re-start at 16.00; FT at 16.45, or thereabouts.

 

Isn't 4.45 round about the expected finish time for a 3pm game?  (unless there's a TMO in which case more like 5 o'clock!)