RUGBY: Crunch match for Old Laurentians in weekend of home games for rugby fans

OLs have a 'must-win' game against Oadby Wyggestonians

Defeat for Old Laurentians in their last outing means that this Saturday’s league match with Oadby Wyggestonians at Fenley Field now becomes a ‘must win’ encounter if the club are to have any chance of finishing in second place and a play-off for promotion.

OL’s reverse meant that they lost second spot after holding that place for the previous six weeks as they were leapfrogged by Oadby Wyggs and Oundle and now lie fourth. With champions elect Peterborough 18 points clear at the top, the following group stay locked together with Oadby and Oundle on 63 points and OLs just a point behind on 62.

So, the winners of Saturday’s game will probably knock the other out of contention and OLs go into the match bolstered by the fact that they won a tight match at Oadby by 29-25 last November. Add to that the fact that Oadby will face Oundle and Peterborough in their last two games, the play-off spot probably lies between OLs and Oundle, with the latter in great form right now and probably favourites to claim it.

OLs go into this vital game with a number of injury worries, centred on their forward pack. Their three leading second rows are injured with just Ben O’Riordan a possible starter but Ben Anderson and Robin Corrigan both ruled out; and prop Olly Cowley is unlikely to be fit. On the plus side, OLs expect to welcome back leading try scorer Jordan Bunn on the wing.

Kick off at Fenley Field is at 3pm.

All Rugby’s first teams with games are at home on Saturday, presenting a fantastic choice for neutral fans.

League leaders Newbold welcome 13th-placed Dronfield at Parkfield Road. Top-of-the-table Rugby Lions host 11th-placed Barkers Butts at Webb Ellis Road and Rugby St Andrews’ visitors to John Tomalin Way are bottom of the table Bedworth.

Rugby Welsh have an extra week off and resume their games on April 1 away to Atherstone.