Rugby Union: LSH seeking victory to ease their relegation fears

Feb 16 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Saints hope to go marching today when they entertain Darlington Mowden Park in the knowledge that defeat would almost certainly doom them to relegation.

LSH have often seemed to have the makings of quite a good side, but things tend to go wrong for them, as they did last Saturday when Simon Worsley missed three first half penalties in a row to ensure they lost by just one point.

Unfortunately they will be without the injured Richard Bailey today, as he is suffering recurrence of a former neck injury, but they have a highly competent replacement in the veteran Andrew Rigby, who comes in as a flanker while skipper Phil Kearns takes over at No.8.

The key factor will probably be the slightly erratic form of fly-half Simon Worsley, who is quite capable of being a much-needed match winner, so let us hope he hits the top again.

Over at Blundellsands, Waterloo are hoping to regain their best form as they entertain the powerful Cambridge side, who are one point worse off than them, even though they did win the game down there fairly comfortably.

Waterloo’s lack of size in the pack has been the key factor in their form all season, and explains why they have never looked likely promotion challengers, despite playing some excellent rugby on occasion.

They will obviously miss the talented Alex Davies at fly-half and hope their new Spanish signing, Jaime Nava, makes a striking debut in the centre, though the absence of Davies’ place kicking is bound to be a key factor.

Dodds and Loader will both be in action on the wings, but the key figure will be Jason Duffy, who is again switched to take Davies’ place at fly-half.

Toughest task of all faces West Park, and not just because they were so erratic – and fortunate – last week.

This time round, they must travel to Tynedale who are not only a good many miles away but have lost only one of the 18 games they have so far played this season.

A West Park victory looks highly unlikely, but I hope they still manage to settle down and give a good all round display.