SKIPPER James Shewell believes high-flying Droitwich are under no pressure when they take on Whitchurch in the final of the RFU Midlands Intermediate Cup this weekend.
The Salt Boys travel to Shropshire tomorrow (Saturday) knowing victory would put them into the national semi-final of the cup and just one round away from an appearance at Twickenham.
Having lost 29-26 to Whitchurch back in September, Shewell is expecting another close encounter but he believed playing away from home would work in Droitwich’s favour.
“Whitchurch are the bigger club and they will be desperate to win in front of their own fans,” he said.
“It is going to be our toughest game of the season but all the pressure is on them.
“We are in a confident mood and excited to take on a well established club which used to be two levels above us.
“Hopefully we can give some of our travelling fans something positive to sing about on the way home.”
Having had the chance to grace the Twickenham turf last season, Shewell admitted it would be a memorable way to end the year if he could lead Droitwich out at the home of rugby once again.
However, he stressed it was important not to get carried away with that thought.
“I believed last year’s appearance would be the tip of an iceberg for us but our incredible journey keeps on going,” he said.
“We are flying in the league and there is so much confidence around the camp right now.
“It’s quite difficult to not think about Twickenham but we have to take one game at a time.
“The lads are fully focused on Whitchurch and we will see what we can do.”
Droitwich bounce into their cup final on the back of Saturday’s 45-5 victory at third-placed Kenilworth.
Phil Horton (2), Pete Knight, Josh Skinner, Sam O’Brien and Shewell got the tries while Brad Cook kicked five conversions as Droitwich cemented top spot in Midlands Two West (South).
“I knew we were capable of beating Kenilworth but I did not expect to do so by that margin,” admitted Shewell.
“I was very impressed with the performance because in the last few games when we have started well we have taken our foot off the gas.
“But this time we played at full tilt for all 80 minutes.
“Once we figured out what was working for us we kept at it which was really pleasing.”
