CAN WE TOPPLE THE LEADERS?

CANTEBURY v ESHER

For us as a team to be considered as contenders in this league we must be able to perform against the top of the table. So far this season our performances against the top five have not been of the level we expect from ourselves. We ran Dorking close after giving away two early tries but in all the fixtures against the top five we don’t feel that we have shown what we think we are capable of. Its all very well thinking you can do something, but it only counts if you can show it.

Watching and reviewing Saturday was frustrating. We created many opportunities that we failed to capitalise on; the obvious difference between ourselves and Bury was their ability to execute when it counted. The players have really moved on their ability to review games and our conversations in meetings have become very honest and focused on which areas we need to improve and which areas are the strengths of our game. To take our performance to the next level we need to convert this understanding and good conversation into actions on the pitch. There isn’t a better test for us than against top of the table Esher, who visit the Marine Travel ground tomorrow. They are top of the league for a reason, and we are going to find out how we measure up against this seasons favourites for promotion. There are changes to our line-up as we recalibrate the back division while fitness problems have also influenced selection.

And the Pilgrims register another win: if I had a pound for every time I have written that this season… (I’d have 13 quid!). This one was as impressive as those that preceded it due to the number of changes to the team. Tom Mackenzie had his first outing as captain since joining the club in preseason and the players fought back from a 16-5 deficit to again score over 40 points on the road.

That leads me to remind you that we have another Saturday where both the First team and Pilgrims are at home. With two very big games on offer why would you want to be anywhere else?