The Weekend Preview - History at Sharmans Cross Road?

By Brian Dick on Oct 1, 09 03:06 PM in Rugby

Some intriguing fixtures this week with the first Championship local derby between Coventry and Moseley and a reshuffled Worcester side going to Leicester.

And of course there could be the last ever game for the current Bees vintage, unless they can unravel their financial tangle that has dragged them to the precipice.

Whilst not wishing to blow my own trumpet, I think I'm due a surreptitious little 'toot' following a 100 per cent return from last week that included correct predictions for Moseley's win over Doncaster and Worcester's over Sale.

That's 14 out of 15 so far this season. OK trumpet down.

And this week...

Coventry v Moseley (Friday, Butts Park, 7.45pm)

Adam Caves reckons the outcome will be decided by which Moseley team turn up and it's difficult to disagree.

Mose will give Cov a game if they play well, if not expect Phil Maynard to claim his favourite kind of victory, one over Moseley.

The signs are encouraging for the visitors though. They were a thousand times better against Doncaster last Saturday while Cov were braver than brave in defeat at Pirates.

Tristan Roberts gave a display that both dazzled and disappointed for Mose and he could go either way under pressure from Cov.

This game will be all about forwards and I think I give Cov the edge up front. Roared on by a home crowd, against their local rivals and with Dave Addleton inside their heads, they'll not dare to lose.

Prediction: Cov by 6
Last week's prediction: Moseley by 3 and Pirates by 7
Results: Moseley by 8 and Pirates by 6

Leicester v Worcester (Saturday, Welford Road, 3pm)

With Mike Ruddock keeping his powder dry for the Challenge Cup next Thursday, Worcester have no chance.

The only way to win at Leicester is to outdo the hosts for commitment and hope for an under par performance from the home team.

After making more than 300 tackles in their last two games, commitment might have run dry and the signs are that Leicester are getting better not worse.

Add to the cocktail the fact Worcester have not won at Welford Road since 1895 and they won't win this time, especially not if Willie Walker's wife decides to give birth on time.

Prediction: Leicester by 20
Last week's prediction: Worcester by 7
Result: Worcester by 6

Bees v Rotherham (Saturday, Sharmans Cross, 3pm)

There have been some right old shenanigans at Sharmans Cross this week with the club on the brink of voluntary liquidation.

One player has gone AWOL, a few others have left the rails and Russell Earnshaw must sift through the remnants of a very fine squad to see who wants to play. It is a complete mess.

At the time of writing this could still be the club's last ever match in its current guise and one hopes that thought brings the supporters out in their droves and invigorates the players.

If it doesn't Bees could be daubing a very upsetting chapter into what has been a largely commendable history.

Rotherham must be licking their lips.

Prediction: Rotherham by 17
Last week's prediction: Nottingham by 17
Result: Nottingham by 36

Stourbridge v Esher (Saturday, Stourton Park, 3pm)

Here's to you Mr Robinson, Stourbridge loves you more than you could know. All hail the return of oft-injured but multi-talented play-maker Sam Robinson.

The 24-year-old ends 18 months of injury hell to make his comeback against the hardest opponents in the division.

Esher have been rolling along at 64 points a match while Stour have been digging deep just to keep pace with the big-striding teams in the division.

No one moves faster than the Surrey-side and they will continue that progress despite the best efforts of Robinson and his cohorts.

Prediction: Esher by 20
Last week's prediction: Launceston by 10
Result: Launceston by 6