No margin for error for Old Boys (From Swindon Advertiser)

No margin for error for Old Boys

6:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Andy Warren

SWINDON College Old Boys head coach Mark Roshier knows his side can’t afford any slip-ups as they bid to finish second in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier.

The Nationwide club hammered nearest rivals Chipping Norton 47-3 on Saturday to move level on points with them in second, going into tomorrow’s must-win home clash with Risborough.

Old Boys have an inferior points-difference to Chipping Norton, and Roshier knows his side must claim as many bonus-point victories as possible to keep pace.

“Every week is a cup final for us now, because we can’t afford a slip-up,” he said.

“There is a big points difference between the two teams now and we need to sort that one out, and we need to pick up wins and bonus points every week starting against Risborough.

“We have to match Chipping Norton and not slip up, and it is between the two of us now for second place.

“We need to make sure we don’t come down with a thump and stay up there, and we will be more physical in training this week to prepare for that.”

When the two sides were due to meet earlier in the season Risborough had to forfeit the points due to not having a fit front row, but Old Boys know all about the threat they pose having played a friendly game instead of a competitive fixture.

“They didn’t have a front row so they forfeited the points because they couldn’t have a scrum,” Roshier said.

“We did still play the game although it was a bit scrappy, and without a scrum it was hard because we pride ourselves on how strong our set piece is at the moment.

“It was one of those games nobody wanted to play, and England were on the tele too, so it was probably one that shouldn’t have been played.

“But we know how they play, and we just have to keep the intensity up and do our basics well.”