Young Shield Update
Posted 11/09/04

As I understand it, the cut-off date for the Young Shield Qualifying is 19th September (unconfirmed). Although qualification looks unlikely for Glasgow from the current league table, the weather could yet play its part in who will be in the top 8 as at that date.

Obviously Glasgow MUST beat Workington to have any chance although rain is forecast for Ashfield overnight and tomorrow. Should the meeting be postponed, given that next Sunday is the PLRC that means it would have to be ridden either Tuesday or Thursday night for any points to count.

Looking elsewhere to those challenging for qualification, there are five teams challenging for the last 3 places. Stoke have been dragged back into the fight following a heavy defeat at Edinburgh costing them the bonus, and tonight's rain off in their home meeting against Newport. They travel to Sheffield tomorrow where they are likely to return with the bonus point but not much else. Sheffield are also contenders and should comfortably get 4 points from their remaining two fixtures both at home.

Kings Lynn have had a late surge and look favourites to qualify with surely a minimum of 7 points from meetings away at Berwick and Newcastle and at home to Exeter. Technically Exeter themselves can still qualify but unless they can win at Kings Lynn they almost certainly wont.

It could be a very close run thing. Going by my estimates, Kings Lynn will qualify comfortably on 37, but Stoke, Glasgow and Sheffield could quite possibly all finish on 33 points making the points differential crucial.

Unfortunately this would still mean Glasgow finishing below the other two and failing to qualify with Exeter.

Tomorrow is a day for getting behind the Tigers and shouting them on with the belief that the remote possibility of qualification CAN happen. From a realistic point of view, start the rain dances now for Sheffield.