War of the Rose

Play-off time.....Nerve shredding, high stakes, winner stays on, knock out rugby. Possibly not the most popular way of deciding who gets to dine at the top table but, when you're hungry – who cares, let's just get started! Near neighbours Donny stand between us and a final against either Bedford or Bristol.

And formidable opposition they will no doubt prove to be. There's the local rivalry, the fact that we are the fortunate beneficiaries of an RFU funded academy that churns out quality young rugby players like Tetleys churns out pints, the fact that despite this they finished higher than us in the league and then, just when we seemed to be running out of ways to annoy them, we decide to adopt the Yorkshire moniker as well. Let's face it, they're not short of motivation for these two games. 

It's honours even in the two league meetings so far this season. A 27-20 Tykes win at Headingley in October was turned around at Castle Park with a 34-28 result for the Knights. The mathematically curious amongst you may have noted that this results in an aggregate difference of just a single point in Carnegie's favour over the two ties. You needn't have bothered though, because it means absolutely nothing going into the semi finals. I include it not to try and infer some kind of advantage, merely to demonstrate how tight it is between these two sides. And make no mistake, Barratts couldn't squeeze a 3 bed semi between us, it's on a knife edge tight. 

Unlike Carnegie, Donny seem to have a fairly settled starting 15. A constant feature of which is ex Carnegie player Mat Clark. Mat is a skilful, dangerous centre with an eye for a gap, particularly when the try line beckons. I didn't think he did much wrong in a Carnegie shirt and was surprised to see him released. He'll be a handful. 

He's not the only ex Headingley employee in the Donny camp. Jake Armstrong was an academy prop who broke into the first team under Jimmy Lowes. Again, I rated him. Dave Mcilwaine was a marquee signing from Ulster for whom it didn't really work out at LS6 and one or two may also remember that scrum half Brad Field was on the Carnegie roster for a while having signed from Hartpury College but he didn't settle and left without making a senior appearance iirc.

 The Ollie Stedman situation is an interesting one with echoes of 3 years ago for Tykes supporters, albeit with the boot now on the other foot. Then, with a play-off semi against Newcastle just around the corner, it was announced that on-loan Carnegie fly half Rory Clegg had signed for the Falcons and an online debate raged over whether or not we should play him. Stedman now finds himself in a similar situation and it may be no coincidence that he hasn't appeared in Donnys last few games, then again, he may just be injured, out of favour or rested, I don't know.

 In stark contrast to Doncaster’s settled side, the population figure for Lesbos is more stable than the Carnegie starting 15 at the moment. Professional rugby is a squad game and Bryan Redpath has certainly been making full use of his resources, not just in recent weeks, but throughout the season. So much so, that although many supporters will know what their own personal starting 15 would be, no-one has a clue what Brushes is. I'm sure he does.

 I think Rob O’Donnell and Charlie Beech are the starting props. The recipient of the no.2 shirt will be decided on whether Brush thinks precocious talent or experience, aggression and 110% commitment is the order of the day. For me the second row is two from Smith, Myerscough or Ryder. Redpath throws Schofield into the mix as well. My back row picks itself - Beck, Burrows, Walker - no question. I think Andy Saull may start at 7 though and Josh Bainbridge comes into the reckoning if he's fit.

 At half back, Sinfield and Pilgrim are nailed on. In the centres, if I could pick Fred Burdon at 12 and 13 I would. As it is, with Fitzy injured, I think Andy Forsyth will partner him. Joels’ recent form has been irresistible and i think he’s earned a starting place at fullback with Stegmann and Holmes providing power, pace and finishing ability out wide. 

Whatever the line up, the reality is that we're 4 games away from a promotion that some people are saying would be disastrous.

 I don't think it would. 

Disasters are where people lose their jobs, houses or worse. Earthquakes are a disaster. This is Rugby and you can afford to go all out for glory because that’s what it’s all about, that’s the whole point. You play to win or you don't bother playing at all because the worst that can happen is we lose a lot of matches by some big margins next season and end up exactly where we are now, only with more money. 

So we've got 160 minutes of rugby over 2 legs to look forward to with the winner progressing to the final and receiving the unofficial accolade of best team in Yorkshire. Following that, another 2 games which if won will secure our return to the big time. The lads are playing well and confidence should be high following successive 5 pointers against Nottingham and Jersey. So let's put any misgivings about Premiership readiness (or lack thereof) to one side and get behind them as we bid to finish the season on a massive high. 

My old man put it quite nicely shortly before he unexpectedly booted my 6 year old self into the deep end at Selby baths. “Sometimes”, he said, “you’ve just got to give it a go”.

Come on Carnegie

COME ON THE TYKES.