Majadahonda, a tough stumbling block for CRAT coming off the back of a win over the current league champions

CRAT Residencia Rialta play this Sunday (11:30) in Majadahonda on the penultimate day of the Iberdrola Rugby League. The home team, in second place, were the only ones who did not lose in Elviña, which shows that they are a tough opponent on Coruñas’ road to the semi-finals.

After defeating last season’s defending champions, Coterva Cocos, CRAT faced the last two games depending on themselves. Everything changed after this week’s resolution of the National Arbitration Board. Eibar, the fourth-placed team, were fined for improperly fielding Yamila Otero, an Argentinian player who did not meet the criteria to be a training player. The Basque side lost their game against Sant Cugat, deducting two points from the seniors in the standings. Eibar went from 29 points to 22. On the other hand, Sant Cugat added 5 points and reached the CRAT with 27. Thus, Galicians and Catalans are tied in fourth position, but as Sant Cugat has more victories in its possession, finally CRAT under.

This bizarre situation further distances the Coruñas from the goal. Before, CRAT, winning their two games, knew it was the team play, since the previous day they are meeting with then direct rival Eibar. Now Sant Cugat is the team to beat and there is no chance of a direct clash. The challenge is more complex.

No time to regret. If CRAT could with the unyielding Cocos, Majadahonda must fear Coruña. Of course, the Galician expedition will have to recover from the last-minute loss of Ali, one of the regulars on the front line. The call-up, of just 20 players, has no further news regarding the clash against Cocos last Saturday. Now or never, CRAT must win, add bonuses if possible and hope Sant Cugat doesn’t do the same. You couldn’t ask for more emotion for the final stretch of the regular season.