RUGBY: Godsell back for crunch contest (From Swindon Advertiser)

RUGBY: Godsell back for crunch contest

7:10am Friday 27th January 2012 in Rugby By Andrew Warren

RETURNING director of rugby John Godsell has billed his first game back at Supermarine as the club’s most important match of the season.

Marine take on Pewsey Vale, who are only one place behind in the Dorset & Wilts 1 North table, and Godsell knows a win in his first game since replacing head coach Sean Millwaters will put them in a strong position to secure promotion.

“With a couple of defeats recently we have seen a 13 point lead over the next team reduced to seven, and they will have to think that if they can come and win at our place they will be in with a great chance of promotion.

“We have got to go out there and show them that we are right up there, and for that reason this is probably the most important game of our season.

“We need to start with a big performance right from the first whistle, because we need to get them on the back foot.

“We need to beat them at home to give us our cushion back, and we can then focus on getting promotion.”

Elsewhere in the division, Fairford travel to Chippenham 2nds and Minety visit Sutton Benger.

There is a lot riding on Wootton Bassett’s visit to Windsor, with the Southern Counties North game doubling up as the next stage of the Dorset & Wilts Cup, after Bassett picked up the Vase earlier in the season.

“All games are important at this stage of the season, but this one is very big,” captain Gary Williamson said. “Windsor are a good side, and if you give them space and time they will play very well.

“We need to set the record straight after losing to them earlier in the season, and although we have a few injuries I am sure we will put out a strong side.”

Swindon College Old Boys will be looking to make it five straight wins in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier with a victory over Gosford All Blacks.