Larner: We believe we can win
Campion coach Paul Larner says the mood in the camp is good ahead of their London Two North East showdown with Chelmsford tomorrow (Saturday).
Larner’s men make the short trip up the A12 to take on the current leaders in a potentially crucial top-of-the-table clash looking to complete a double after a 19-10 win at Cottons Park earlier in the season.
Chelmsford have a one-point lead at the summit, but Larner says his players are well aware of the opportunity ahead of them.
“We are looking forward to the battle,” said Larner.
“We know that they are the favourites, being the home side, and we have some absences, but we are confident after some good away wins this year.”
Campion are bidding for a third successive promotion this season and have been beaten just twice in the league, by Enfield (17-15) and Rochford (24-23).
Larner added: “We welcome back Jake Hoggard, Diarmuid Carr and James Ngan, who are looking strong after lengthy rests for various reasons.
“A win takes us top and puts huge pressure on the other teams up there and after two good training sessions this week, we believe we can do it.”
Local rivals Old Cooperians make the long trip to Norfolk to take on Holt, having slipped to a 17-13 home defeat against Diss last weekend.
Andy Dennis scored two tries, with Joe Bilton adding a penalty for table-propping Coopers, but an injury to captain John Woodhall did not help their cause and the visitors claimed a late converted try for victory.
Woodhall said: “I don’t think our position reflects the team we are.
“We totally deserved to win. It was a game where they expected to roll us over, all teams do.
“But I think they will agree we deserved to win. We were moving the ball well, but I got stamped on the head and had to go to hospital and they got a try from a maul. Their scrum was good.”
Coopers picked up a losing bonus point but remain at the foot of the table and went down 25-8 against Holt in their earlier meeting.
Woodhall added: “Holt’s a long trip but we’re hopeful in every game we play.
“We took Campion close until the last 10 minutes and we’re taking most teams close.
“We want to stay in this league and we’re putting the work in training, now we need to do it on the paddock.
“We need to win four or five games and hopefully it will come this weekend.”
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