MAIDENHEAD RFC’s season comes to an uncertain climax tomorrow (Saturday), with a largely irrelevant clash against relegated Grove at Braywick.
Admittedly, Maids still need to win the game but, having lost their crunch encounter with Oxford Harlequins two weeks ago, any promotion hopes now lie in Reading-based Abbey’s hands.
With one game to play, Swanage & Wareham currently hold the play-off spot in South West Division 2 (East), one point clear of Maids.
However, the Dorset side face one of the toughest away fixtures of the season at Abbey, with Maidenhead waiting in the wings, praying for a slip-up.
Maids coach Tony Brooks said: “Quite frankly, it’s very possible with Abbey playing Swanage & Wareham.
“Potentially they could do the business for us.
“Swanage will be up for it, but Abbey have beaten all the top sides at their place this season.
“I wouldn’t like to have it as my last match.
“We need them to do us a favour. And, if they do, we’ll have a drink to them after the game in the bar.”
Meanwhile, Brooks is trying to ensure his players do not slip-up.
He said: “Yes, we have to rely on people to do us a favour, but if we don’t do our bit it’s irrelevant.
“The difficulty is being up for it. That’s the challenge for the players.
“With the last game of the season there’s a tendency to put your feet up and start thinking about the beach.
“That’s obviously the wrong thing to be doing.
“We still have a serious game of rugby to play. That’s when the professionalism – with a small p – comes into play.
“We play through the tape. We do the business right to the last.”
Thankfully, the injuries which dented Maids’ chance in Oxford have largely resolved themselves, leaving the team approaching full strength.
Brooks added: “It’s been useful to have the week off at this stage of the season.
“It’s given us another week to get over bumps and bruises.
“Ray Malesala looks like missing the match, due to a reoccurrence of a hamstring problem, but the rest of guys are good.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
Brooks missed Maidenhead 2nds’ Berkshire Cup final defeat on Saturday, arriving at Braywick 15 minutes after the final whistle.
However, despite disappointment at the result, Brooks was delighted to hear the club’s younger players had done themselves justice against a very strong Newbury outfit.
He added: “It’s very pleasing. That was one of the main objectives of the season, to bring some of the young guys through."