South West Division One
Berry Hill 14, Barnstaple 21
BEATEN by a better team last Saturday and with a mountain to climb to avoid relegation, Berry Hill's Lee Osborne has set his team a target – five wins from the last eight games.
"We have to finish above Bridgwater and Keynsham ... it's that simple," says Osborne.
"It is not beyond us but it will be very difficult. The reality is that we are facing a mini league within the league as we have to play all the teams around us at the bottom of the table and we need to beat them all," he says.
Target games will be Chinnor, Keynsham, Marlow and Bridgwater.
And for good measure they will want to sink one of the top teams, Dings, Reading or local rivals Cinderford, all of whom have to travel to Lakers road.
"I have said it before, but I know that at full strength we can match anyone in our league. The problem is we have been ripped apart by injuries and unfortunately we do not have the strength in depth. We seem to take a step forward and two back," he said.
There was no lack of commitment or effort against the North Devon team, but the pressure eventually told and Berry Hill simply lacked the firepower to cement a workmanlike performance.
The Hillman's outstanding player was back-row man Ian Hoare but he is unavailable for this Saturday's testing match at high-flying Reading.
"It will be a tough one for us. They have a big pack and plenty of experience," said Osborne.
But now the chips are down and Berry Hill know exactly what is expected of them.
"It does focus the mind. Everyone knows what we have to achieve so we are in for some intense rugby over the next few weeks," he said.