Tyne After Tyne

By BrianC
April 26 2004

For the second time this season we find ourselves making the long journey to the North East of the country where we again face Newcatle. Our earlier trip this season for the Powergen Cup quarter final on 28th Febuary was not a happy one.

The snow caused havoc to those traveling on Saturday morning. To many peoples amazement this included the team who had chosen to travel on the day of the match rather than a day before. Worried about being fined for not arriving on time they switched to an Edinburgh flight then traveled by coach to the ground only just making it in time for the game. We can only guess what impact the lack of preparation time had on the team. It certainly appeared to play a part as we were comprehensively beaten 24 - 12. 

Having had a very bright start to this season it was in fact in our home game against Newcastle on 23rd November that our form started to falter. This was a game we had gone into as favorites, we lost 15 - 19.

Newcastle went on to win the Powergen Cup and, as a result of having done so, have now qualified for the Heineken Cup. It is perhaps to our advantage that they have done so as they seem to have eased off the gas somewhat. The Friday before last an under strength Newcastle side was thrashed by Sale, the team they had beaten the previous week in the cup final. It appears that having nothing left to win or lose this season the Falcons are taking the opportunity to field less experienced players.

For us, whilst qualification for the Heineken cup looked a near certainty as Christmas approached the odds now appear to be against us. Our only chance of doing so is via the wild card play offs, to make these we need to finish at least 7th in the league, currently we are 8th. For us the last two games of the season are 'must win' encounters. Against an under strength team we might just take this.