It was back to rugby for me last Saturday, as I saw a hugely important game between Bedford and Cornish Pirates. Both teams are in the same play-off group as Bristol - the favourites to gain promotion to the Guinness Premiership. Both teams went into this game on nine points after the Pirates defeated Bedford 22-18 the previous week, meaning the winner of this would have qualification for the semi-finals in their own hands.
Everyone was expecting a tight game, but in the end the Blues ran out handsome winners by 42-18. This was the worst possible outcome for the Pirates because Bedford scored five tries in the process, meaning they claimed the maximum five points and left the Pirates empty-handed. Their High Performance Manager (ridiculous title I know, what's wrong with just 'director of rugby?') Chris Stirling admitted to me afterward they've now made things extremely hard for themselves. Fair play to him, not all coaches are so willing to talk after their team gets stuffed like that!
For anyone who's spending a quiet night-in on Friday, I strongly suggest you to watch the Pirates next outing, away at Plymouth Albion, which is live in front of the Sky cameras. The boys on the Rugby Club may not plug it quite as much as their live Premiership game or even the sodding Super 14, but with any luck these two teams will prove what I've said before. That the Championship is great value for money and almost comes with an entertainment guarantee. The proper TV contract for it starts next season (about time!). There is life below the Premiership, despite what its current clubs would have you believe, and it is flourishing.
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