MAIDENHEAD RFC head to Dorset on Saturday, for a make-or-break decider at Swanage & Wareham.
If the hosts manage to complete the league double over Maids they will be right back in the promotion battle, while a defeat would almost certainly end their season.
Unfortunately, Maids face a similar situation, with victory essential if they hope to end the season at the top of the table.
Even then, the Braywick outfit may travel to title favourites Oxford Harlequins needing to win by 25 points or more to secure automatic promotion; a prospect coach Tony Brooks summed up as ‘tricky’.
He added: “That may be the case but we’re just taking each game as it comes at the moment.
“It’s pointless looking ahead when you have a game like this on Saturday.
“This is THE big game. It’s a must win game for us, as it is for them. But that’s what we play rugby for and we’re looking forward to it.”
One factor in Maids’ favour has been a two-week break from competitive action, giving several key players time to recover from injuries.
Influential back-rower Ray Malesala, whose fearsome tackling played a major role in Maids’ thrashing of Swanage last season, is one of those expected back, after pulling a hamstring three weeks ago.
Rene Dance is also back in the squad, having served his one-match suspension, while utility forward Cormac O’Byrne also returns from injury. However, there are still doubts over winger Simon Cripps, while Robin Bryant is almost certain to miss the game – and perhaps several more.
One talking point on Saturday will be the likely inclusion in the squad of Anton da Silva, who made a sparkling debut for Maidenhead 2nds in their recent 32-31 win over Reading.
The former Bracknell fly-half demonstrated some real class with the boot, while his decision making and tactical awareness added a new dimension to Maids’ much maligned backs.
Brooks added: “He certainly looks good, but he hasn’t been playing much rugby recently and his inclusion will be subject to fitness.