Post by Jamie Crawford on Jan 2, 2017 15:37:58 GMT
The Knights have a second successive home fixture but this time it’s in the B & I Cup against Munster A. We play the reverse fixture in Ireland (next week) and then a third Cup match (follows) against Rotherham Titans at home. The Titans beat us in the Cup last October 34-17. Munster A beat the Titans 24-35 on 10th December and 34-3 on 18th December. Munster A and London Irish in Pool Three are the only teams to have not lost a game but Munster A have played two games to Irish’s four.
After our statement of intent on comfortably beating Richmond 34-3, we turn our attention to the B & I Cup. Let’s see if we can maintain the form in the Cup and beat a Munster A side that have already demonstrated their ability by twice beating the team that beat us, Rotherham Titans.
It’s worth repeating (RIP Axel):
Munster played Glasgow at their home Thomand Park on the day that the Munster A away game was postponed. Fittingly Muster beat Glasgow 38-17.
“From early morning the streets around the stadium were busy with supporters making their way in and out of the local pubs, many heading over to the Shannon clubhouse where an array of flags, banners and jerseys had been hung to honour Anthony Foley, a man who had served club, province and country so well...
As a reminder; Munster A were runners-up in the inaugural B & I Cup Final in 2009/10 to the Cornish Pirates. Two seasons later they won the cup in 2011/12, beating Cross Keys. The Knights were runners-up in 2014/15 to Worcester Warriors. Hopefully the Knights will emulate Munster A’s success in the Cup and proceed to win the Cup two seasons after finishing in second place.
An encouraging fact is that Munster A lost their first Cup Pool game to the Pirates in 2011/12 , they came second in the Pool behind Cross Keys by one bonus point. In fact Munster A were the bottom team of the final eight in the knock-out stages. You can bet that Cross Keys were kicking themselves after beating Munster A in the Pool stage and then losing to them in the final.
It’s time for the Knights to win the rest of their Cup games and put last Saturday behind them. I believe there are eight more games left after our loss to the Titans (assuming we go on to play in the final)? The majority of our injured players have returned to fitness and we have a current Tongan International in Jack Ram. It’s time that losing a game isn’t even considered.
Pool Two of the B & I Cup table has Munster A at the top after playing two and winning them both, next are Rotherham Titans after playing three and winning one. London Welsh are third as they haven’t played a game yet and the Knights are fourth after their defeat against the Titans last October. Other Pools have played four games so far.
The Knights had the game against Munster A unfortunately but understandably postponed then both games against London Welsh were postponed due to their financial difficulties but they managed their league home fixture against the Scottish exiles!
There are no other games in Pool Two being played on the 7th January but the Titans welcome the Welsh exiles to Clifton Lane on the 14th (if the Welsh don’t cry-off).
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
