Post by Jamie Crawford on Dec 16, 2016 18:09:24 GMT
The Knights have had two weekends off competitive rugby; this could be viewed as a negative or a positive. It is actually a little longer; it will be 23 days since we played in Jersey to be exact.
The glass half empty view would mean that the Knights may have got a bit rusty and lack preparation but the glass half full perspective is that the squad was decimated with injuries but three weeks off rugby may have meant that some have recovered. It’s rumoured that Michael Hills will make his long-awaited comeback against the Titans at Clifton Lane. Perhaps new Tongan International back row signing Jack Ram will make an appearance. Ram is well-needed with all our back row suffering injuries of various degrees plus Beau Robinson out for the rest of the season.
Following the Knights’ impressive comeback against the Reds, they managed to secure two bonus points in the loss; this leaves them still in the top half of the table mid-way through the season. A reputable position given the injury toll.
Statbunker isn’t up to date yet again; it has four teams as having played ten games and London Welsh just nine games! It has the Knights and the Titans accurate though as having played eleven games.
In getting to sixth and tenth places respectively at this mid-way point of the season, the Knights have won five and lost six games. The Titans have won four, drawn one and lost six of their 11 games played.
The Knights have scored 252 points and conceded 249 points; the Titans have scored 233 and conceded 297.
The Knights have scored 35 tries (third highest) and conceded 27 (equal third lowest/best). The Titans have scored 25 (second lowest) and conceded 39 (second worst).
Will Robinson (not the ex-Knight) is the Championship’s fourth highest points scorer. Robinson’s strike rate is 81%; Dougie’s is 74% and Declan’s is 61%, so the Knights must keep their discipline. Lack of discipline cost us the game against Jersey and Sam Katz’s strike rate is 75%. Katz left five points on the field after he missed one penalty and one conversion. Robinson might not miss these on Boxing Day. That five points if scored would have cost us the losing bonus point.
Hooker Luke Cole and Wing Ben Foley are Titan’s leading try-scorers with three tries scored apiece.
Elsewhere on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day:
Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen’s Day, “In some European countries, notably Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries, 26 December is celebrated as a Second Christmas Day.” (Wikipedia).
Christmas Eve:
Ealing Trailfinders (3rd, 3 points above) welcome the Cornish Pirates (8th, 2 points behind)
London Welsh (5th, equal points) are due to play London Scottish (7th, 1 point behind) at Old Deer Park
The biggest upset of the season would be if Richmond followed on from their success in beating the Scottish in late November then the Pirates last time out in the Championship by beating unbeaten London Irish. Carnegie just managed to beat Richmond 31-39 in between Richmond’s two wins.
Boxing Day:
Nottingham (4th, 1 point above) host Second-placed Carnegie at Lady Bay
Jersey Reds (9th, 2 points behind) travel to Goldington Lane to play eleventh-placed Bedford Blues
Rotherham Titans (10th, 5 points behind) welcome us (6th) to Clifton Lane
Again only the Irish exiles and Carnegie are untouchable in one game and the Blues from Bedford and Richmond can’t catch us in one game. That said the Titans would have to beat us with a winning bonus point and for us to not score a league point for them to rise above us. The Welsh exiles are only above us by a matter of 15 points more scored.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY...
