Eastleigh's final push for London League promotion (From Daily Echo)

Eastleigh's final push for London League promotion

2:08pm Friday 30th March 2012 in Rugby

Eastleigh captain Russell Smith is calling on the town to back his battling squad as they make a final push for London league rugby.

Smith, along with the club’s dedicated coaching staff, have fought tooth and nail through a tough season to put themselves on the brink of the Hampshire 1 championship.

They could clinch the title they came so close to securing a year ago with victory tomorrow – but the game is likely to be one of hardest tests of their campaign.

Smith wants to use every advantage he can muster against second-placed Fordingbridge – and that includes plenty of enthusiasm and noise from the touchline.

He said: “Whether you are a rugby fan or not, this is a special sport which has continued to grow since England won the World Cup.

“We are the local rugby team and trying to put Eastleigh on the map with regards to rugby.

“We want people to come down and see us.

“There are a lot of teams around but we are the ones who are making the headlines at the moment.”

Eastleigh are already guaranteed a play-off place as they look to step up to the London leagues.

But, after losing out at that stage last season, the players want the automatic slot which is the prize for winning Hampshire 1.

The two remaining games offer ten points but Eastleigh only need three of them for the title.

They are anxious to collect them tomorrow against the only team to beat them this term – rather than rely on victory at fourth-from-bottom Farnborough next week.

Smith added: “We know that the job is almost done but we want to win the league at home against the side that beat us.

“This is a bit of a revenge match.”