REDDITCH Arrows face a do-or-die fixture at the weekend as they bid to beat the drop from Division One North of the British League.
The Kings Norton Rugby Club tenants have endured a torrid season after the loss of several experienced players.
Team manager Chris Halford has been forced to fill an understrength roster with numerous rookies and results have reflected the change with Arrows slumping to six defeats from their opening seven matches.
But with the prospect of only one team being cut from the top flight Conference, Redditch's fate is still in their hands.
The league is decided on a percentage of wins from games played and although Redditch are second from bottom with a 15-15 draw against Chester Romans giving them 0.071, they have home and away fixtures against basement boys Lancashire Wolverines.
The northerners have lost all five fixtures this season to leave them with a zero percentage.
The Ash Lane side know avoiding defeat in both fixtures should ensure their survival, provided Lancashire do not improve, and a win in either match could condemn Lancashire to the drop.
Arrows entertain Lancashire on Sunday (ko 2pm) in the first of their relegation deciders.
The return is on Sunday, July 28 with a home game against third from bottom Gateshead Senators sandwiched between on July 14.
But with Arrows beaten 40-0 in Gateshead, they will be targeting the Lancashire double header for survival.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article