GARETH Rawlings has targeted a five-star finish to Longton’s campaign as he looks ahead to next season.
The club’s player-coach was instrumental in last weekend’s 29-19 victory over Newport, scoring two tries to keep Longton 10 points clear of the National League Three Midlands relegation zone.
It followed their 30-29 win at South Leicester the previous week, and Rawlings is determined to keep the run going.
Longton visit Nuneaton on Saturday, before winding up their season at home to Old Halesonians and away at relegation-threatened Sandbach.
“It’s a long off-season and the last few games are what people will remember during the summer,” said Rawlings.
“We’d like to end the year with five successive wins because that puts us in a good place mentally.
“It would also see us finish in the top half of the table and would represent a decent season overall.”
Last Saturday’s triumph over their Shropshire rivals showcased quality and carelessness in equal measure.
Longton ran in five tries, with Luke Fowles, Taz Wara and Craig Wilson adding to Rawlings’ double.
However, their fine play was interspersed with unforced errors, which briefly afforded Newport hope they could claim the points.
“Yet again we showed what we can do with some excellent tries,” added Rawlings.
“But there were times we fell below par, and whether or not some players get carried away or the pressure of the match gets to them, I’m not sure.
“It also didn’t help that the referee was a bit whistle-happy because that affected the rhythm for both sides.”
Rawlings says Longton’s performance has thrown more issues into the melting pot as they dare to look forward to the 2014/15.
But he says there has been no definitive talks between himself, coach and brother Scott and director of rugby Wilson about what life will be like at Trentham Fields in the future.
“We’ve spoken briefly about little bits where we need to adapt, but nothing major,” explained Rawlings.
“It is important that we get the last few games out of the way and then we can sit down with the chairman and see what everybody wants.
“Every year, if you can bring in a couple of new faces, it always helps.
“We’ve had a thin squad this season and, ideally, you’d like to have 30 players so you have two in each position.
“That would ensure that people have to try to play to a high level to ensure they keep their shirt, which in turn breeds a winning mentality.
“It’s what we’ve been lacking in certain areas this season, but we can make decisions on next year at a later date.”
For the time being, however, Rawlings is more concerned with making sure Longton are mathematically safe from the drop.
They head to face a Nuneaton side whose title challenge has faded in recent weeks, but they still sit in third place in the table.
“Nuneaton were front-runners for a while, but they’ve still got a decent home record and will want to carry that on,” he said.
“They’ll want a solid performance, but we’ll got there and take what we can and hopefully build on the two recent victories.”
SANDBACH find themselves fifth-from-bottom of the table, but only out of the relegation zone on points difference.
They have a tough-looking home date against runaway leaders Broadstreet this week.
Braodstreet are 12 points clear at the top after winning 20 of the 23 league games they have played.
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Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2556388/How-fix-broken-game-Twelve-angry-men-issue-Scottish-rugbys-disturbing-problems.html
Rugby Union: Longton must finish with a flourish, says Gareth Rawlings
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