Please note: Bilton astroturf is not available for tonight's training (Monday 6th Feb) so a decision will be made later about safety at Fenley Field.

All matches off!

As all fixtures in Midlands 2 West (South) were postponed, we thought we'd keep you abreast of what's been happening elsewhere by publishing Bill's round up that would have appeared in this week's programme.

The Midlands Two Scene

Barkers Butts ground out a win against Droitwich, creeping home by 25-20 after trailing for most of the match; and the bonus point that came with the win enabled them to maintain a four point lead over Newbold at the top of the table.  Bold claimed a bonus point in their very comfortable 50-19 win over second bottom Pershore to maintain their two point advantage over OLs. Both OLs and Newbold have to play Barkers in the run in to the end of the season, which will be critical fixtures for all three and possibly promotion-defining.
Whilst the top 3 maintained their positions relative to each other, Leamington slipped back by a point when they failed to secure a bonus point in their 23-14 win over Upton on Severn and still hold fourth spot but are now 5 points behind OLS. The same applies to Silhillians, who had to work very hard for their 15-11 win at Kidderminster, also failing to pick up a bonus point and so losing ground on the top group as well. Berkswell and Balsall are still in that unenviable position of having to carry that 15 point deduction and thinking they would be league leaders without it! They saw off Banbury in a typically (for them) low scoring game – and, again, no bonus point. It’s what we appear to be good at – 13 bonus points so far, making a massive difference to our league standing.

Local Club News

Although it seems highly unlikely that anyone will overhaul Rugby Lions in National 3 Midlands over the rest of the season, there are signs that the opposition are beginning to work them out.  Not enough to have any chance of beating them, but getting closer to them on the scoreboard at least. Last weekend, Lions’ opponents were Longton, who held them to 17-26, Lions’ final two tries, and bonus point, coming in the last few minutes of the action.

Up in Midlands 1 West, one of the clubs that went up from Midlands 2 at the end of last season, Dunlop, have certainly hit the wall! They have conceded scores of 76, 93, 87 and 57 in their last four games and have a ‘points against’ total of 934 for the season so far. But still they are not bottom – that privilege belongs to the other promoted club Bedworth, who have a very similar record but have earned one bonus point less! Just above them are Kenilworth, relegated to this league, unlike the other pair! Sutton Coldfield (who else!) still lead the way with a 100% record, pursued by Bournville. Stratford, for all their travails as a club, appear to have lifted themselves out of trouble and the drop zone.

Lutterworth hold on to 2^nd spot in Midlands 2 East (South), trailing the leaders by 7 points but enjoying a similar margin over the 3^rd placed club. Long Buckby bring up the rear and are losing contact with the rest, already, it seems, doomed to relegation after just one season up at this level.

League leaders Northampton BBOB beat Rugby St Andrews by a comfortable looking 24-8 at the weekend, but Saints hold on to 3^rd spot. But they are now 12 points behind the second placed club and 17 points adrift of the leaders. So it is looking increasingly like ‘no cigar’ for Saints yet again. Things look very gloomy for Rugby Welsh as their result for the match at Manor Park last week was recorded as ‘Home Walk Over’.

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