Shaping up for crunch clash

3:48pm Wed Jan 18, 2012

League leaders Newark Rugby Club are looking to secure a friendly game this weekend in preparation for their crunch tie against second-placed Market Bosworth a week on Saturday.

Captain Chris Tate is in full support of the club’s plans to arrange an uncompetitive fixture, which would help to ensure the squad has the ideal preparation ahead of the crucial game against their nearest Midlands 2 East (North) rivals.

If opposition cannot be arranged, the squad face a lengthy 14-day wait without a game following from their comfortable 32-0 win at Notts Moderns on Saturday.

Tate said the Market Bosworth game was easily their biggest test to-date and would go a long way to deciding who ends up with the silverware in May.

“It is a massive game for us and we need to be in the right shape for it. Getting the lads together for a match could make the difference,” he said.

“We have been impressive this season but our levels dropped last week and that is something we want to put right.

“It was nice to keep the opposition down to nil this time out but we need to be performing at a higher level than we are at currently.

“Our aim is still to end the campaign unbeaten but we know beyond this season bigger tests lie ahead for this squad. With that in mind we need to cut out individual errors that have crept into our game of late.”