Will Nelosn

National One preview: Birmingham & Solihull v Barking

Fly-half Will Nelson feels spirit in the Barking camp is at an all-time high as they prepare for their crucial trip to Birmingham & Solihull this weekend, writes Colin Munford.

After a week’s break, Barking go into the fixture on the back of a 20-19 last-minute win over Fylde, and the former Otley man feels the atmosphere amongst the players is all geared towards staving off relegation from National One.

“It has been a funny atmosphere in the fact that the boys have been in good spirits, but we just haven’t got the results to back that up,” said Nelson.

“The win over Fylde was long overdue, but we have been in that losing habit which has been hard to shake off. But the boys have been working hard in training throughout the last two-to-three months and we finally got the reward for the hard work.

Continued

“That has continued over the last couple of weeks and we all know how important this game against Birmingham is.”

After coming out on top against Fylde, Nelson believes the side can put together a string of results that will give them the best opportunity possible to avoid the drop back down to National Two South.

“In the past when the games have been close we have not been able to get the win,” added the former Nottingham fly-half.

“But now we have done that against Fylde the weekend before last, we can now put a few more results together to ensure we stay in the division.”

The test at the weekend remains a tough one, and head coach Tim Usasz’s squad will be tested to the limits with several players unavailable.

Nelson picked up a hamstring injury in the victory over Fylde and will miss the trip to the West Midlands.

While Barking will also have to do without centre Andrew Henderson, openside flanker Steve Wood, and second-row Rod Turner as they will all be away in America for the Vegas Rugby Sevens tournament.