La Fiamma prepare for potentially season-defining away trip to Baldivis SC

Ugle Fabrications La Fiamma will face the biggest test of their promotion aspirations as they play back-to-back games against top three opponents beginning with Baldivis this weekend.

After a mid-season slump threatened to undo much of the good work their best start in years had brought them they are right back in the hunt after two wins in as many games.

They are now in fifth just three points away from second place and promotion with five rounds left to go.

They were irresistible last week against Sutherlands. With their relentless attacking pressure they dominated the game despite the Spartans’ best attempts to turn it into a physical scrap.

It was easy to see by the celebrations on the pitch the spirits of the club are high and hopefully for the Reds it can carry them through another gruelling Sunday 3pm away trip.

Captain Lachlan Gray agrees the feeling among the group is good.

“The general feel is certainly a bit better in recent weeks but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and continue to just take matches one at a time,” he said.

With time running out they cannot afford any slip-ups and Baldivis will be a step up from their most recent opponents.

They have spent most of the year inside the top three but have gone through their own wobble recently with just one point from their last three matches.

Gray said it will be a tough challenge but believes the tough run home may be to their benefit.

“They’re going to be tough competition, they’re one of the more experienced clubs in the league but that may work to our benefit as some of those guys maybe tire towards the end of the year as their recent results suggest,” he said.

“I think we tend to lift against quality teams at times this year we have let games slip by not playing our game and getting drawn into opposition plans.”

“We’re humble going into the game but if we can stick to our game plans it’s definitely good enough to beat anyone.”

With their recent form trending up while Baldavis’ has been down, it could be a good time for the sides to meet and the Reds know a win here will really put promotion firmly on the table.

“Four of our last five games are against top teams which will be a challenge but if we beat them we don’t have to rely on other results going our way as much,” Gray said.

One issue the Reds will have to overcome is player availability.

“We’re still about six players short for the away trip this weekend which is not ideal but hopefully we can find a few guys and take some pressure off the league guys so they don’t have to double up,” he said.

La Fiamma will play Baldivis at 3pm at Badivis South Sports Pavilion.