IF LAST season was the most successful in the club’s history, Tunbridge Wells now stand on the brink of reaching its highest level in English rugby’s structure.
After a campaign that saw the club go undefeated as London South East Two champions and take a huge travelling support to watch them win the national Intermediate Cup final at Twickenham, it was always going to be tougher challenge as they stepped up to London One South – level six in the league pyramid.
It is a highly competitive division and has proved attritional, stretching the resources of the squad.
As the final weekend approaches, a combination of results could see them secure the runners-up spot and contest a promotion play-off in Essex on April 29.
They are in third place, three points behind Havant, and if their Hampshire rivals win their final match then Wells will miss out.
But they can draw some hope from the fact that Havant have to play at Sidcup, this season’s champions.
Meanwhile Wells face a Kent derby they cannot afford to lose against Maidstone at St Marks on Saturday (kick off 3pm).
The play-off equation is that should Tunbridge Wells win, but without getting the bonus point for scoring four tries, they will be relying on Sidcup winning and restricting Havant to one losing bonus point.
Given that scenario, teams would end up on 99 points and Tunbridge Wells would take second spot due to having secured more wins.
If Havant lose, but by seven points or fewer, and score at least four tries then it will be the Hampshire side who are runners-up.
But if Wells win and manage to add the bonus point, Havant would need to draw (with a bonus point) or beat Sidcup.
