DON’T GIVE UP HOPE YET

Sadly, it looks like the playoffs at best for the Raiders after their gut-wrenching near-miss at Tring.
The hosts were everything Jordan Reynolds expected them to be in terms of determined party-poopers.
If they could not win the title, why should they let Raiders have it was their attitude. Understandable and admirable.
Raiders were not at their best, but even in defeat not all hope is lost in terms of the title.
A big win at home to Towcestrians coupled with a shock loss for Barnes at Sutton & Epsom, who are a top-half side remember, means we will go up as champions.
Otherwise, it is looking like Bournemouth RFC at Footes Lane on Junior Siam Day, Saturday 28 April.

Tring fought like demons to repel the Raiders in attack and for the opening 30 minutes both teams slogged it out in the middle of the park.
When it mattered most both Tring and Raiders’ poor ball retention or the opposition defence put paid to any chance of either side finishing off a move to score and break the deadlock.
The Raiders pack were by far the dominant, yet repeatedly repelled by Tring's dogged defence who with the home crowd support were relishing the challenge.
But eventually Tring sent in their pacy winger over the line for a try on 35 minutes to break the deadlock. Conversion missed: 5-0.
Straight from the resuming kick off Raiders retained the ball and as they pushed hard for the line they were deservedly awarded a penalty try for a 7-5 half time lead.
Unperturbed, Tring started the second half with determination and within five minutes put the green & whites under pressure.
A penalty to the touchline followed by a lineout saw the home side spin the ball out to the backs and the winger cut his way through the middle for a smart try.
With the conversion it was 12-7.

Worse was to come for Raiders.
A fumble in attempting to take a Tring clearance, was gratefully accepted by the home side whose backs slipping the ball to the same pacy winger for another try.
With another successful conversion we were in trouble at 19-7 down.
To their credit, Raiders immediately responded.
With a kick to the corner the following catch and drive from the Raiders pack worked perfectly as they powered their way over the line with Sam Steventon coming up with the ball.
Owen Thomas converted and it was now 19-14 and all still to play for.
Raiders piled on the pressure and Tring gave away further penalties to the point that in front of the posts Owen Thomas slotted over for another three points for 19-17.
Tring refused to cave in though and when Raiders gave away a penalty in their own 22 the home side duly took the chance to increase their lead 22-17.
With five minutes left on the clock a fine catch from Luke Jones from the kick off saw the Raiders launch a must-score attack. Tring were forced into giving another penalty away, so Raiders went for the tried and trusted lineout followed by another catch and drive.
But it didn’t work.
Tring spoiled and retrieved the ball.
From that a scrum on the Tring five-metre line saw Raiders frustration lead to another penalty for the home side and it was game over.

SQUAD
Sam Steventon, Tom Ceillam, Layton Batiste, Cameron Craine, Nick Merrien, Lewis Hillier (captain), Dale Martin, Douglas Horrocks; Kyle Brown, Owen Thomas, Luke Jones, Blair Campbell, Ned Brown, Chris Ahne, Anthony Armstrong.
Replacements: Charlie Currie, Robin Le Cocq and Duncan Russell.