The 1st XV are set for a lengthy trip up North to take on Sedgley Park this weekend.
Things are getting tight in the National One league table as last week’s loss to Rams sees the 1st XV head into Round 17 in 5th place, on 47 points, just 1 point behind Birmingham Moseley in 4th. This weekend’s opposition, Sedgley Park, and West London rivals Richmond occupy the next two spots in the table, sitting 3 and 4 points behind Park respectively. However, both also have a game in hand making this weekend’s matchup a crucial one for determining league position.
The 1st XV will look back fondly at the reverse fixture against Sedgley Park as the late September matchup saw the team produce probably their most complete performance of the season, running in 11 tries in a 67-15 victory at The Rock. In that match, tries from Max Trimble, Matt Bolwell, TJ Wilstead, Arthur Ellis, Matt Gordon, Charlie Piper, Sunni Jardine and a Charlie Walker hat-trick were accompanied by an outstanding team-wide defensive effort that saw Sedgley Park fall to their heaviest defeat of the season. It was simultaneously the most points they have conceded as well as the 2nd fewest points they have scored in this year’s campaign.
Sedgley Park are also coming into this weekend off the back of two losses to Blackheath and Rams in their last two fixtures, which is the first time that the side from the Northwest have lost back-to-back matches this season. They will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday and the 1st XV will have to be on top form to ensure that does not happen.