Hull Ionians finished third in National Two North last year but are up against it at the wrong end of the table this term, and fly-half Lewis Minikin says every game is now their cup final.
Minikin's side suffered a 39-19 loss away at high-flying Wharfedale last week which continued their winless run that goes all the way back to mid-October when they beat Wharfedale at home.
Ionians secured back-to-back wins to kick-off their season but have won just one game since and came into this weekend in the drop zone due to an inferior points difference to newly-promoted Billingham.
Minikin, 30, who came into this round third in the points scoring charts on 201, says the squad is frustrated with their disappointing campaign.
He told The Rugby Paper: “Wharfedale is a tough place to go, so I wasn't too down about that compared to some other losses recently. We played better than we have done and not giving away as many penalties. We gave ourselves enough chances to score but weren't clinical enough.
“It's been a really tough run. There's multiple factors… I don't think we've adjusted well to the tackle height law change and, as a result, conceded too many penalties. We've lost three games in the last play of the game and not many by big margins which show the fine margins. We're definitely improving and have been working on our shape, so hopefully the wins will come soon.
“We've known for the last six weeks it's going to come down to the wire between us two.
“Every week is a massive game, they are all winnable we just need to have the right mindset. It's very important for the club to stay in the league because of sponsors, attendances increasing if we're winning. We've got an unbelievable set of people here with great facilities, so it's far too good to be getting relegated.”
The RFU reduced the tackle height from shoulder level to the base of the sternum for the National Leagues and below, and while others have been outspoken on the controversial law change, Minikin is on the fence recognising why the law makers are trying to reduce concussion rates but isn't sure they are going about it in the best way.
He added: “I'm 50-50, I want to play the game for as long as possible so avoiding head injuries is paramount. I've got a few close friends who have struggled with that sort of thing, so the RFU doing something to combat head injuries and concussion is right.
“I'm just not sure they've done it the right way as there's just as much chance of getting a knock to the head by tackling at the knees as there is up top. People are adjusting late and having to drop their height which is more likely to result in a head injury than a normal tackle. As a team we should have adapted better to it which has cost us.”
