Battle for the Top Slot

Fly half again?
By RtR on 19/11/2002
November 19 2002

It seems that every match preview begins with an explanation of why the Tykes next match is going to be the toughest of the season to date. But this time, even the statisticians amongst us will agree, when the Tykes visit Gloucester this weekend, they will be away at the current league leaders.

Most rugby fans would have predicted, as we approach the half way point in the season, that the ZP leaders would have a name that ends in ‘-cester’. The fact that is is Glaws who sit at the top of the heap, and not the Tigs, is maybe not that big a surprise. Glaws have made big strides in recent years, and are quite rightly one of the hot favourites for the league title. However, the fact that Glaws versus Tykes is a battle of the top two in the league is a major surprise for the English rugby public.

Silence the Shed

The Tykes will of course not only be facing 15 men in Cherry and White, but also an effective 16th man in the shape of the (in)famous Shed. Several thousand quiet and unopinionated Glawster men and women will pass judgement on the game, in their typically unassuming manner. Kingsholm is one of the most intimidating venues in English rugby, and the Tykes will need to silence the Glawster faithful early in the game.

The Glaws Boys

Glaws will be missing Gommersall (arguably the form scrum half in the ZP), Vickery, Woodman and Simpson-Daniel, the latter two out injured. But they still have an enviable array of talent, and look better prepared for international call ups than many of the other ‘big’ clubs.

In the backs, the likes of Henry Paul and Thinus Delport await. The clash in the centres, between Terry Fanolua and George Harder, two of the finest exponents of the Samoan side step known to man, will register on the Richter scale. And if thats not enough, they can boast the new wunderkind of English wing play, Marcel Garvey. Add in the kicking talents of Ludo Mercier, and it looks like a tough afternoon for the Tykes three quarters.

Their pack looks mean too, with Jake Boer in particular showing outstanding from this season. Junior Paramore is an excellent ball carrying No8, and James Forrester is another England man of the future.

Depleted Tykes

But not only will Glaws will be hit by international withdrawals. The Tykes will miss the skills of Ross, Albanese, Regan (potentially), and possibly Kerr after his appearance for Scotland A. Diego, in particular, will miss the opportunity to show Glaws what they missed out on when he left to join the Tykes, and Ronnie Regan will no doubt be itching to get on the field if unused by England.

But the Tykes have also shown that we can cope without our internationals. Jimmy Ponton’s form could keep him in the starting 15, even if Zac and Dan are fit, and the squad boys Rawlinson and Holt performed admirably against the Saints. We will need a big game from the engine room of Palmer and Murphy to win good clean ball, otherwise the Glaws backrow will be over the half backs like a rash. Good service from Dickens to either BVS or Tris at fly half is a must to negate the strong Glaws back row. Another big game will be needed from Cammie ‘The Scythe’ Mather, the ZP’s leading tackling machine.

In the backs, Chris Hall has played exceptionally in the absence of Diego, and George Harders move to the centres has also been a success. Let’s hope that BVS’s wears his kicking boots.

Game predictions

Glaws thrashed the Tykes on both occasions last year, but it will not be as easy for them this year. Both sides are missing key men, and it may be a case of who can cope best without their stars. The Tykes have already proven that they can, and that could be a decisive factor.

A few weeks ago, it appeared that Glaws were running away with the title, but in recent weeks, cracks have begun to appear, and their crown of invincibility has started to tarnish.

The Tykes have already shown that they never give up, and if we can get points on the board early, a surprise victory maybe within our grasp. Its rare, these days, that we play a side higher in the league than ourselves, and in that situation, it’s always nice to upset the odds.

It will be an immense game, and well it should. After all, ZP leadership at the seaons halfway stage will belong to the victors.