Semis and final should be one leg says captain
London Welsh v Bedford Blues
CANADIAN international James Pritchard has revealed he is not a fan of the two-legged semis and finals deployed in the Championship and would like to see them adopt the Premiership one-off game system, writes Mark Wood.
The Bedford Blues skipper saw his side come up just short against London Welsh in this year’s semi, but admitted he would like to see it changed.
He said: “It’s disappointing. Ideally I would have liked to see a one-off game like they do in the Premiership where you go in and it’s all on the line for one game rather than this sort of silly two-legged stuff.
“I would love to just get in there and be just a one-off. A one-off semi-final and a one-off final.
“I think that means a lot more for the boys because you throw everything on the line.
“There’s no saving yourself or getting your head where you need to save yourself for next week or this or that. I don’t want to make excuses. They showed they were better over the two legs and we paid the price for our slow start.”
But for a part-time club he believes the Blues are doing fantastically well.
He continued: “It’s very small margins when it comes down to it. It is disappointing stumbling at the last hurdle. You come out as a team and as much as you love the sport you would like silverware at the end of the season.
“I think this team really deserved it for the way we played all year and the way we pulled in.
“For a team that trains three nights a week with boys working full-time jobs, and to match it with the three other full-times sides in this league, and push them all the way I think is absolutely fantastic.
“I’ve got nothing but gratitude and respect for the boys.”
And he predicted next season could be their year, adding: “It’s always that last hurdle which is the toughest.
“We’ve been here twice and we’ve been bridesmaids twice so I think we work hard.
“It’s always painful knowing you’ve come so close and it stings in the off-season so come the start of the season we’ve got something to work for, something to push for and this competition’s only getting stronger.
“Next year we are walking down the altar and we can have a good time about it.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
