Back to form?

By The Lurker
December 21 2013

As we approach the halftime whistle in this most wide open of  Championship seasons it is becoming apparent that there is a midtable split with six teams competing for four play-off places. As we all know something has got to give and two of the current top six teams will not make the playoffs. Here is a look at the possible scenarios....

London Welsh currently sit on top of the league. The style of play adopted by the Exiles has meant that  until yesterday, they had only lost one game and have beaten most of the chasing pack. They stumbled at Bedford and now against Scottish. Their next game on Jersey is critical - a defeat could see LW spiralling out of the play-off places. However  I still  expect them to take one of the top fours places at the business end of the season.

London Scottish have steadily climbed the table and now sit in second place, claiming one or two notable scalps on the way. Their success is based on a strong pack. This is always a good platform for success. LS are the surprise package for me and I can see them being in the play-offs. Next up fixtures against Bedford and Pirates will confirm that (or scotch it!)

Bristol are tucked in to third place after a win at Ealing. The Bris form has been erratic this season but they have a strong squad and two winnable fixture against Moseley and Albion coming up. This should settle the fans' nerves and see Bristol safely into the play-offs.

Rotherham continue to defy gravity as Lee Blackett continues to upset the odds with his small but plucky squad. Currently occupying fourth place the Titans have tough fixtures against Bedford and Pirates coming up next. Their squad size will be critical at the business end of the season and, sadly, I think that Lee's Barmy Army will miss out on a play-off place.

We are in fifth place and before we trot out next Saturday will probably be sixth (if Pirates win today) Two defeats in November should have been a wake up call for J-Lo. Nottingham are next up - we are already their best scalp to date. A slip up now could jeopardise our play-off chances. However the return of RV will boost our back division . Two wins next up will secure a play-off berth.

Cornish Pirates are a work in progress. They are in a rebuilding phase. That said the Pirates are in sixth place and will be a thorn in the side of the other contenders. At this stage in the squad's development I think that sixth place will be where they finish up but expect a few upsets for the other hopefuls when the Pirates come calling.

As with all predictions I am probably way off the mark and will spend the rest of the regular season eating humble pie. Still I live in hope of a place in the play-off final though that event is still a long way off.

Six into four won't go

Discussion started by TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged), 22/12/2013 08:47

TykesRugby.co.uk
22/12/2013 08:47

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:01:01:14:33:20 by Gelbel.

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rotherhamtillidie
22/12/2013 08:55

"a defeat could see LW spiralling out of the play-off places"

Really?

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Wildwillie
22/12/2013 09:15

Losing 3 on the trot is never good for a team's confidence. May I draw your attention to he word could. It is particularly relevant.

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leemingtyke
22/12/2013 09:42

I agree with your predicted top 4 Mr Lurker, however, I wouldn't put much money on it as my gambling record is erratic at best.

I can help with your mathematical conundrum though. The answer is 0.66 recurring.

Hope this helps.

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TryBlues
22/12/2013 15:51

As a Blues fan, if we can win our next 2 - Titans away and Scottish at home I believe we are still a possibility of a top 4. However, lose 1 of these it will probably be too much to catch up.

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leemingtyke
22/12/2013 16:17

Quote:

TryBlues
As a Blues fan, if we can win our next 2 - Titans away and Scottish at home I believe we are still a possibility of a top 4. However, lose 1 of these it will probably be too much to catch up.

Yep, still possible although it's a very tall order.

We lost 9 games last season and still made the play offs.

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Wildwillie
22/12/2013 16:32

Quote:

TryBlues
As a Blues fan, if we can win our next 2 - Titans away and Scottish at home I believe we are still a possibility of a top 4.

That would be nice.

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Gelbel
22/12/2013 17:42

Bristol have never won at Mosley. I was out with some fans on Friday and they're worried they won't break that duck this season.

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Haxbytyke
22/12/2013 22:14

Aren't Bris at home to Moseley this week Gel? Having said that, didn't Mose win there last season, the week after we beat them at Headingley?

COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.

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oopnorth
22/12/2013 22:34

Having thought long about this, don't know.

Someone needs to power in front.

Or just win each game as it comes and bound to be promoted.

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Haxbytyke
22/12/2013 22:50

One game at a time Oop, keep winning, and see where we end up. Is there any incentive to finish top in such a closely fought league.
Qualify for the play offs, and then it is go for broke.

COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.

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Gelbel
23/12/2013 07:44

You're right Haxby - wa given duff info. Still they are Bristol's bogey team.

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oopnorth
23/12/2013 09:31

I am not sure you can turn on and off a winning mentality Hax unless you are clearly superior to your opponents, and I don't think and of the top 6 are at the moment. Yes it is right not to worry if you lose the odd one, but the emphasis should always be on winning. Works for the Kiwis.

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Haxbytyke
23/12/2013 21:55

Quote:

oopnorth
I am not sure you can turn on and off a winning mentality Hax unless you are clearly superior to your opponents, and I don't think and of the top 6 are at the moment.

Quite agree Oop, which is why I said keep winning and see what happens. If we keep winning, we will qualify for the play offs, my question was really, is there any advantage in finishing top? I'm not sure there is.

COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.

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Tavi Pirate
28/12/2013 20:40

The Pirates youngster's will continue to surprise a few teams in the second half of the season. I would say looking at 5th, but 4th would be brillant, for a team put together this season with no mega bucks signings.

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Hoopsy
29/12/2013 17:12

Bris beat Moseley 29. 8. Quite convincing after a poor start. 6900 to watch as well..... Agree that this is very open this season...I think Pirates and Blues will upset a few as well...Good luck !

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Haxbytyke
16/02/2014 22:00

Probably now 5 into four. As the top teams bring in extra players for the final push, I would think Pirates are now out of the running, although they could still have a big say in who finishes where. I would also think, IF, Leeds win their next game, LS will find it very difficult to break into the play offs, unless one of the others has a big, big, dip in form.

COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.

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Wildwillie
17/02/2014 07:24

Who have Scottish got next?

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Gelbel
17/02/2014 07:39

Us.

There is a break in the fixtures - some teams playing catch up for postponed matches though.

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