Coach’s Corner | And so we arrive at the business end of the season

As the regular Paul Y Premiership season draws to a close, it seems all the sides in with a shout of reaching the Grand Championship have fit and full squads – ensuring that selection for the play-off games will be a headache for their coaches.

The clubs outside contention are limping along with one eye on Saturday’s final round of matches, after which they can shut up shop, reflect on what might have been and re-group.

It has been a tough season, but I want it to go on record that your contribution to the league has been invaluable and no doubt you will have learned some vital lessons to make you stronger for next season.

I believe this season has produced a higher standard of skill, more sustained intensity during games and more keenly contested matches than I have witnessed in my four previous seasons.

This has resulted in both the Premiership title and all important fourth-place play-off spot going down to the wire, providing us with an exciting run-in over the past few weeks, during which one slip-up could have – and indeed has – proved costly.

When the final round of league fixtures is completed and the respective champions are crowned, a major refocus will be needed as I believe any one of the four final teams are capable of causing an upset on their day in the Grand Championship knockout stages. This, of course, bodes well for an exciting end of season.

In the Grand Championship, success will favour those teams that are capable of making the most of their limited opportunities, and those that can maintain their shape, composure and discipline in tight games.