THERE will be more than just pride at stake when Maidenhead Rugby Club welcome Reading to Braywick tomorrow (Saturday), for what promises to be a classic derby clash.
A defeat for promotion-chasing Reading would end their hopes for a play-off spot, while defeat for Maids would leave them waist-deep in the relegation zone.
Not that this encounter needed an added edge.
There has always been something personal about this fixture, and its history of bad tempered bust-ups was extended earlier this season when right-hooks and upper-cuts played a prominent role.
The result was a narrow defeat for Maidenhead, one they will be looking forward to avenging tomorrow.
However, getting a straight prediction out of either club has proved rather difficult, with both sides indulging in a tactical game of pre-match cat-and-mouse.
Maids coach Simon Edwards was in extremely cautious mood, saying: “Compared to Reading we’re a village side.
“They are massive favourites and we are the underdogs. They are a semi-professional side with professional coaching staff.”
Not familiar fare for Advertiser readers, who are more used to hearing Edwards talking-up games.
He went on: “It’s not make or break for us, but it is make or break for them.
“It’s certainly not a game we have targeted to win but obviously we are very keen to keep our good run going.”
Edwards also cast doubt over the team line-up, after front-row stalwarts Rene and Jody Dance picked up knocks in last week’s massive win at Swanage, while No.8 Ray Malesala is rumoured to have damaged his shoulder in the same game.
Meanwhile, over at Holme Park, Reading chief executive Andrew Green was equally cagey.
He said: “We are just hoping for a win away from home but we’re certainly not underestimating the difficulty of the task.
“It’s always a very competitive game and the last one was very close. We’re just hoping to carry on where we left off.”
Not very inspiring perhaps, but what does it all mean.
Reading really threw away their chances of winning the league with a string of poor results in October and November.
However, since then they have lost only once, and that was a narrow defeat at Dings Crusaders, who are second in the league and undefeated at home.
Similarly, Maidenhead got themselves into relegation difficulties with a string of defeats before Christmas, but have only lost once in their last five outings.
While last week’s thrashing of Swanage & Wareham will certainly have lifted Maids’ spirits, especially in light of Reading’s draw there, earlier in the year.
But now to those all important predictions.
Edwards said: “Reading had a very poor run in mid-season but seem to have recovered now and are capable of getting second spot.
“We will do our best to see that they don’t. We love playing them but that can only happen if we’re in the same league.
“It’s a game we could win, but we don’t need to.”
An equally cautious Green said: “Home advantage will be important and we are anticipating a hard game.
“It will be a close run thing but Reading will come away with a small victory.”
Tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) kick-off is at 2.45pm at Braywick.