Uphill rugby battle lies ahead for Riversmead Warriors

THINGS just haven’t clicked like many had hoped for the Riversmead Warriors this rugby season.

Admittedly, life in the Fidelity Security Premier League (Moor Cup) is tough, but still, it seems to have been more of a struggle than perhaps it should have been.

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Injuries never help and the depth of the squad has been tested, especially for away games.

The first half of the season has drawn to a close and unfortunately for the local team, they finished way down the pool, in tenth spot.

They’re only ahead of Jaguars and have only managed one win so far this season.

The 11 teams are now split into two pools, the top six and then the next five.

Last Saturday the Warriors were beaten 44-22 by Crusaders at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground in a somewhat scrappy affair.

Relegation is a distinct possibility and the Warriors will have to up their game to avoid the chop next season.

Also in the lower half are the teams from Empangeni, Newcastle, UKZN Impi (who the Warriors beat earlier this year) and Jaguars.

They’ll need a massive effort to avoid relegation and will need their best players on the park, fit and firing.

The good news is that nuggety scrumhalf Chris Mitchell will be back in action, having missed the last few games due to a hamstring injury.

He’s looking forward to the trip to Pietermaritzburg to play the Impis tonight (15th).

“We’re taking a strong team and plan to come back with a full house of points,” said Mitchell.

He knows the team is under pressure. “The second round is a must-win situation every game,” he said.

They’ll have home ground advantage against the Empangeni, Newcastle and the Jaguars, so it’s possible they could wriggle off the hook.

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