HEAD coach Nick Tisdale bemoaned his side’s injury luck after Malvern were thumped 36-5 by high-flying Burton in Midlands One West on Saturday.
Experienced duo Tom Hale and Ieuan Mustow both had to be taken off in the early stages at Spring Lane and Tisdale said the double blow turned the game as he was forced to play forwards in the back-line, while Burton grew in confidence before romping home with three tries in the final 20 minutes.
“We thought we might get at least a losing bonus point out of it, but that was made very difficult when Mustow and Hale went off early in the first half – certainly losing Ieuan Mustow was big as he is our captain,” he said.
“I could not fault the boys as we competed really well. We ended up with forwards in the backs against a side who are second in the league, so it was difficult to defend as time wore on.”
Tisdale was unsure whether or not Mustow, who picked up a neck injury, and Hale, who suffered a blow to the head, would be fit this weekend.
But he hopes Nick Miller will be back in action on Saturday as Tisdale is bracing himself for a tough afternoon at Hereford, who have only lost twice all season.
“We don’t like losing but we have got to be realistic about what goes on on the field. You can’t account for losing quality players,” he said.
“Nick Miller is very influential, so hopefully he will be back this week. But at the moment we seem to gain one and then lose one.
“We have had two wins out of the last three games, so it is not all doom and gloom and people are optimistic and in good spirits at the club.
“The injuries have got to come to an end sooner rather than later. We have got a quality squad at the end of the day. One that can compete in the league above if we have everyone fit at the same time.”