Blues face up to drop battle

Tall order to beat relegation as Blues head for Barnstaple

NEWBURY BLUES go to fifth in the table Barnstaple on Saturday rapidly approaching the cut-off point when they will be mathematically incapable of avoiding a fourth successive relegation.

Last Saturday's 27-5 home reverse at the hands of fellow relegation candidates Amersham and Chiltern was Blues' 16th straight defeat of the season - and 28th in a row all told - to leave them just two weeks short of going a full year without a win.

Blues have not yet given up on the task, although director of rugby Andy Widdop admits that it is a tall order.

"We are going to need a lot of wins to get out of the bottom three," he said.

"But we are realistic. To get one win would be a start and if we can finish the season well, it would give us something to take into next season."

Blues were close to that breakthrough when they met Barnstaple at Monks Lane, losing 25-21 to a late try having had a score of their own disallowed.

"We really do need a change of luck," said Widdop, "but I don't know where to find the recipe!"

Blues suffered more blows last week when prop Luke Sawyer dislocated his shoulder and fly half Dan Thorne picked up a hamstring injury. Hooker Alistair Widdop also took a blow to the head and all three will miss the Barnstaple trip.