MAIDENHEAD RFC will slug it out with mid-table rivals Oxford Harlequins tomorrow (Saturday) knowing they are entering the most crucial stage of their season to date.
Following Oxford, Maids will then play their postponed match with Clevedon, before travelling to bottom side Keynsham.
Maids coach Simon Edwards is only too aware of the situation, he said: “It’s a four-pointer at Oxford.
“Then we have the spare match against Clevedon, so we won’t have that up our sleeves.
“So this is a crucial part of the campaign. Our season could go one way or the other in the next few weeks.
“The players need to be aware of that.”
He added: “We have 12 points at the moment but that’s not enough.
“We went down with 18 points two years ago, so I think we need 20 points minimum to be safe.”
And Edwards has set his team a stiff task to ensure they do not slip back into the relegation fight.
He said: “We want to remain unbeaten at home for the remainder of the season and then pick up what we can away.
“It will be difficult though. It’s a tough league to do it in, but if we get it right we could finish in the top four. But the next couple of weeks will be vital.”
He added: “Ironically at the moment teams at the bottom are likely to be more dangerous than others in mid-table, as they focus on the second half of the season.”
Certainly Maids will not be complacent at Oxford tomorrow (kick-off 2.15pm) as the Harlequins are the only team to beat them in the last seven matches, although in somewhat controversial circumstances.
Maids lost at home 51-20 in a match which the home club believed was marred by woefully sub-standard refereeing which cost them the opportunity to win.
So Maids will be out for revenge, but they are not starting from a position of strength.
Edwards said: “We have injury problems with Ben Ayres and Jonny Hammond out, Will Lowden taking exams and Gareth Edwards not fully fit.
“And some of the players have had a very good Christmas. Too good.
“So there’s a lot to do. We are underdogs going into this match, but there’s no lack of incentive.”