The Run In

By Tykefalcon
April 30 2002

Only 5 points currently separate the bottom four clubs, so the battle to avoid relegation will be tough. Tykes are currently 12th on 28 points, with Quins 2 points above us, Bath 10th on 32 and Saracens 9th on 33. It’s all to play for.

However Tykes have the advantage of a game in hand, Bath, Sarries and Quins only have 2 games each left to play, and none of the bottom four have what could be described as an easy run in.

Tykes face Quins and Sale away, and finish the season with Gloucester at Headingley. Apart from us Quins play Sale away. Bath face Gloucester away and then Wasps at home, Saracens play Falcons away then Bristol at home.

Tykes should regard the Quins match as a must win game. At the very least Tykes need to pick up points against Harlequins, we can not afford to fall any further behind.

Sale away is going to be tough. Sale have played some lovely rugby this season. Tykes will have a battle up front and need to find a way to contain the Sale back row especially Jason Robinson.

Gloucester at Headingley should be interesting, a tough one to call. Personally I think it could go either way. Tykes have beaten some big names at Headingley this season and Gloucester do not have the best away record.

With Sale, Gloucester, Wasps, Falcons and Bristol all be playing with European qualification in mind there are no easy games left for any of the bottom four. Hopefully Quins, Sarries and Bath will find the run in tougher than Tykes do. One thing is certain at the start of the season none of them expected to be scrambling to avoid relegation, and looking nervously over their shoulders to see where we are.

Tykes have everything to play for and let’s be honest nothing to lose – we were the pre season relegation favourites! It's not going to be easy but Tykes may just cause an upset.

In less than 2 weeks time it will all be over. We will know how Tykes managed to avoid relegation and which one of the other Zurich Premiership clubs will be joining Division One. Here’s looking forward to the end of season celebration!