Spalding RFC are braced for what promises to be their biggest derby fixture in recent memory this Saturday.
Town welcome Midlands One East rivals Peterborough RFC to the Memorial Field (3pm), with just one point separating the relegation rivals at the foot of the table. Although they still have fellow strugglers Market Bosworth and Loughborough to face, Spalding skipper Harry Sharman admits that defeat isn’t an option for his side.
He said: “There’s always a sense of local pride on the line against Peterborough, but this one has the added incentive of survival too.
“If we lose the match our fate will be out of our hands, it’s that simple. I’m never one to think about losing though – and I’d like to see a bonus point win.
“That’s not to say it won’t be difficult, local derbies always are. But we have to concentrate on our own game and try to get the job done.”
Town have just about their strongest possible squad available, with Dave Hankinson, Jimmy Rowlands and Kevin Childs all returning.
Defeat would leave them deep in the relegation mire with four more games left.
• The match will now take place at Thorney RFC, with Spalding’s Memorial Field not deemed fit for play.