After 13 games of the 25/26 Champ Rugby season, Nottingham sit just outside of the playoff places.
The Archers have picked up 40 points from their opening 13 games of the season, with 6 wins, 6 losses, and a draw leaving them sitting 7th in the table just one place outside of the playoffs.
Nottingham’s victories came against Doncaster Knights, London Scottish, Richmond, Cambridge, Chinnor and Hartpury, whilst drawing with Bedford Blues at The Bay. They managed to pick up bonus points in all their losses too, with some extremely tight results going against Craig Hammond’s men.
“The boys have put in a real shift, and have been unfortunate with some of the results”
Craig Hammond, Head Coach
The most notable of the victories have been Nottingham’s wins against Doncaster Knights on the opening day of the season, and a Boxing Day victory over Hartpury. The Archers sent the Knights home with no points to open the campaign whilst claiming five points for themselves in ruthless fashion, and dispatched Hartpury after an electric first half display.
Nottingham put in valiant performances against the ‘big boys’ of the league in Ealing Trailfinders and Worcester Warriors, but only came away with 2 points in each fixture. The Archers were beaten 14-17 by the unbeaten league leaders, having been ahead at times during the evening, and a last-gasp try for Worcester Warriors was the difference between the sides in a 24-22 thriller at Sixways.
League action returns on January 23rd when Nottingham host London Scottish, and the Archers will be looking to return to winning ways having ended the first half of the season in defeat on the road against Ampthill.
“We’re looking forward to climbing back into those playoff places”
David Williams, Club Captain
Key fixtures in the race for the playoffs will come at home for the Archers against Worcester Warriors on February 27th and Coventry on April 10th.