George Angell is almost certainly out of Old Patesians’ last two season-defining games of 2017/18.

The back row damaged ligaments in his right ankle during a training drill ahead of Saturday’s game against Old Centralians – a game the Pats won 22-12 to maintain their nine-point advantage in South West One East over nearest rivals Banbury.

Angell is definitely out of Saturday’s trip to fourth-placed Witney and it looks likely it will require some sort of divine intervention – not totally inappropriate given his surname – for him to make the season finale at sixth-placed Oxford Harlequins seven days later.

“The physio Jimmy Gaisford says I’m out for the season,” admitted Angell, “but I’m still hoping I might make a miracle recovery.”

Even without Angell – his replacement Tom Langton had an excellent game against Cents – the Pats are still odds-on to clinch the title over the next couple of games.

If Banbury collect a bonus-point win at home to Royal Wootton Bassett tonight, as expected, they would still be four points adrift of Pats with just two games to play.

Banbury’s final two games are at home to 11th-placed Wimborne and away to Witney and Angell admitted: “They’re a good side. They deserved to beat us at their place in February – they were the better side on the day.

“They’re keeping the pressure on us but I think we’ll be more than capable of getting the points we need over the final two games.”

It won’t be easy, of course. “We’ve got to go to a couple of nice grounds which is always difficult because we like playing at our hole,” chuckled Angell.

“They are both finishing quite strongly so it won’t be a walkover.”

No it won’t but the Pats have led the table from pretty much day one this season and are determined to make up for last season’s disappointment when they just missed out on promotion to South West Premier.

“We’ve got really good strength in depth this season and Tom [Langton] had the best game I’ve seen him play against Cents,” said Angell.

Even though he is unlikely to play again this season Angell will still be very much involved over the next 10 days or so.

“Craig Jones, our head coach, text me on Saturday night and asked if I’d come along and help at training and on match-days which I’m more than happy to do,” said Angell.

And if and when Pats do clinch the title, don’t be surprised to see Angell dash off to the changing rooms as soon as the final whistle is blown.

“Yes, I will be doing a John Terry,” he laughed. “I’ve thought about it. If there are any championship photos being taken I want to be there in my playing kit!”