WE'VE banned all talk about the Rotherham match this week because everyone needs to focus 100 per cent on Henley at Sixways.

We, of course, travel to South Yorkshire on January 26, but before that have a vital home clash with the Hawks on Saturday.

It is a sporting clich but the most important match is always the next one and nothing could be truer for us.

Not only is it essential that we bounce back from a disappointing performance against Birmingham & Solihull, we know that Henley will travel to Worcester with absolutely nothing to lose.

They have, by their standards, had a poor season so far but they are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and gave us a good game at Dry Leas earlier in the season.

It is, potentially, a huge banana skin for us and we need to make sure everyone has the same focus that they would take into a so-called 'big game'. It would be grossly disrespectful towards Henley to do anything else.

Our performance in the 30-13 win at Solihull wasn't the greatest but in the end we came away from a local derby with the points and a much improved second half display.

It was a very disappointing first half performance and watching the video footage this week has made uncomfortable viewing for us all. We've got to transfer what we do on the training field into match-days and play to our game plan.

Some of our play smacked of frustration and too often we rushed things when all we needed to do was concentrate on keeping things simple. We also missed good chances which can happen in sport. People tend to forget that players do, from time to time, make mistakes and there were plenty on display at Sharmans Cross Road!

What was encouraging, however, was that we came out in the second half and gave a much more structured performance and one which brought us the win.

Some of the phases we put together were good and the driving mauls were effective.

Ben Clarke scored two good tries and certainly received the plaudits after the match. There were also other good performances from Chris Yates, especially in the second half.

I made a call, with six minutes left, to go for goal, when we won a penalty, primarily because we were only seven points in front. I know we were looking for the four tries but it was important to seal the win first and foremost.

The last thing we wanted was for Birmingham to go up the other end and draw the game. Some players wanted to run the ball but, I think, in those situations you just cannot afford to gamble the match.

Although we dropped another bonus point, the race for promotion is very much still in the balance. There will be many twists and turns yet and it is not inconceivable that we will travel to Rotherham as the National One leaders.

They have to play at Coventry this weekend which, as we know to our cost, will not be an easy game. Rotherham also still have fixtures at Bedford and Exeter - places we have already visited - so they have it all to do.

The secret for us now is to put as much pressure on them as possible and that means a good performance against Henley. We were delighted with the crowd's positive response to our wins over Moseley and Birmingham & Solihull and look forward to some more vocal support against Henley.

I, however, will not be involved in the game because of the form of Richard Nias. The lad has worked extremely hard since his arrival in the summer and deserves his chance at league level. He certainly has been impressing for the Warriors and I think if you are professional enough to work hard and do things in the proper manner, it is only right you should get your chance.

The Henley match also marks the first home involvement for new backs coach Andy Keast and I'm sure the supporters will want to give him a big welcome.

He has fitted in well so far and certainly pointed us in the right direction at half time on Saturday!