SUNDAY was undoubtedly a very depressing day for all involved in Worcester Rugby Club but we all have to start looking forward again.
We have to hold our hands up and admit we were beaten by a better team on the day and if Leeds go on to win the title then they will be worthy winners. However -- they haven't won it yet!
We would be doing a disservice to the game of rugby if we just gave up the title now. We have three games left and we can win another 15 points. Leeds have to go to Exeter this weekend and although I expect them to win, it will be interesting to see how they react to becoming National One leaders.
We have led the table all season and they have to go there as THE team to beat. We have a weekend off before our next game with Orrell so we have to concentrate fully on that.
The Leeds game was a really tough game and the players were battered physically and mentally after the match. We didn't perform to our optimum but I thought Leeds' defence was absolutely outstanding.
There are many aspects of the game where you can say it was won or lost but when it came down to it, they took their chances and we didn't. We made a couple of mistakes and they took full advantage. That's how tight things are at the top.
I think if we had been playing a 'normal' National One side then by 60 minutes we probably would have been 20 or 30 points ahead.
The fact was though that we were playing a side who had the power, the pace and the fitness to punish any little error.
Full credit must go to them and their coach Phil Davies who I believe has done a great job. It is important that while we look at their success now, we at Worcester learn how it was achieved.
It was not an overnight success. Not at all. It has taken him four years to build what we all saw on Sunday not one season. Continuity is a big factor in any sport and I would like to see that at Worcester.
We will be criticised by people because we lost the game and now look like we might lose out on promotion. However, if people actually take time to look at the facts, we have lost just two games and racked up 100 points.
That to me doesn't look like a disappointing season.
The key now is focus on our final three games, win those and then start to build for next year whether that is in the Premiership or National One.
It is of course a tough task to raise players' spirits when they have suffered such a defeat. They were devastated in the dressing room at Leeds. However, they have been training with the Worcester Wolves basketball coach this week and then will do some athletics work. That is just to get a smile back on their faces.
The supporters went home on Sunday probably feeling as if the world was coming to an end. I thought they were fantastic though -- a real credit to the club.
That was a real positive to come out of the day. If anything, it is that support which will take us to the Premiership. I knew after Sunday that we could go up that extra level with that fan base -- the noise they made was fantastic.
We must all stick together and concentrate on our final three games. Then after those we can start to make decisions about next season.
I believe we will improve and build on our success this season but we need to be given time.
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