The Play-Offs - Part 1 Preview

Tracy Birch has spared a few moments to provide us with her thoughts on the 3 up and coming games in the Championship Play-Offs.....

The Play-Offs (Part 1)

by Tracy Birch

As we now start the REAL season here is my point of view:

Bristol Rugby vs Worcester Warriors - Sunday 13th March @ 13h00

First up is Bristol who I think are now just coming into their own after a very shaky start to the championship .

We always have a great time at Bristol and love the rivalry that goes on between the two sets of fans which starts with a few pre-match drinks in the Welly.  On the terraces there is always the usual who can cheer on their team the loudest.  I thought the attendance for the new year’s fixture was a little disappointing but I think this weekend we will start to see the championship attendances start to increase as the race for the play off finals start. The key man for Bristol I think will be Ed Barnes, so I expect there to be a lot of kicking for territory during this game.  My prediction is that Warriors will win but I think it will be a close game.  Hopefully we will have an experienced referee who will allow the game to flow.   - Warriors by 7.

Worcester Warriors vs London Welsh - Saturday 19th March @ 15h00

Next up will be London Welsh at home.  We will no doubt be welcoming a few ex warriors to Sixways.  Simon Whatling is now back from injury and Nic Runciman.  I’m not sure if Paul Sampson is injured or not being played.  This game will depend on which team turns up and I also think the weather will play a big element as to what the score will be.  If it is windy and raining I can see this being a very close game.    Key man for Welsh might well be Gordon Ross.  If it is dry and sunny then I think Warriors will play some quick free flowing rugby.  - Warriors by 14.

Nottingham vs Worcester Warriors - Friday 25th March @ 19h45

Our final opponent for the 1^st leg of the play offs will be Nottingham.  I think if we don’t take our foot off the gas like we did last time we played them then this could be a very comfortable win.  The problem when we played them last time was we made too many substitutions and seemed to lose some momentum.  I will be praying that we get a good ref for this game as there were quite a few dubious decisions last time even though the game was on sky.  I think the key man for Nottingham is their full back David Jackson (who has the best mullet I’ve seen since the 70’s). - Warriors by 21.

Then we start all over again with the reverse of the fixtures above....