Crunch time in promotion bid

Third-placed H&B really must preserve their unbeaten home record against second-placed Cranbrook tomorrow (Saturday) if they are to remain in with a chance of going up from Kent One.

H&B are five points behind Cranbrook with six games to go in the race for the runners-up spot and with it a promotion play-off, so tomorrow’s meeting could go a long way to determining how things pan out.

H&B head coach Kevin Smith said: “It’s a big game. Every game is a big game, but we know we’ve got to win this one. It comes down to who wants it most. Who wants to win most? That’s the only difference between the two teams.

“If we can put in a good performance then all bets are off. There are one or two changes we think we will have to make as the game’s between two good teams looking for promotion and it should be an even match.”

Both sides go into the fixture off the back of defeats last weekend. Cranbrook lost 19-18 at home to Vigo, while H&B went down 22-10 away to Old Williamsonians.

“We lost to a good side last week,” added Smith. “We didn’t play very well, but all credit to them. This Saturday we’ve got to buck up, get a great performance in and work hard as a unit.” Kick-off at William Parker is 3pm.