This week we focus on the Bears Women's upcoming semi-final play off with Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday 2nd March at 3pm.

Not only do we invite a proper dual season ticket holder onto the pod as a special guest but we also have an exclusive and in-depth interview with Dave Ward and Tom Luke. They give us a behind-the scenes deep dive into the season so far as well as their thoughts on how they will plan and prep for the play-off. 

It's a fairly lengthy and interesting chat after which we discuss a few of the issues that it throws up before previewing the game itself and offering our score predictions.

We finish off by discussing Dave's excellent punditry performance on TNT Sports on Friday night having been warmed up nicely by our interview the day before and then finally sign off for the night.

It is a bit of a long one again but to help you navigate your way through it here is the running order:

Introduction:

Start - 9:10: Pre-amble and a brief chat about the England A game at Ashton Gate

Dave and Tom interview:

9:10 - 12:04: Motivations for this season after last year's final defeat

12:04 - 13:41: How the Women fit into the HPC set-up alongside the Men

13:41 - 15:26: How Dave and Tom work together

15:26 - 17: 10: Coaching on match days 

17:10 - 18:55: Shaftesbury Park vs Ashton Gate as home venues

18: 55 - 20: 28: How they plan and prep for games

20:28 - 23:00: Managing squad rotation and selection issues

23:00 - 26:50: New player recruitment pathways

26:50 - 29:39: Tracking and signing established players

29:39 - 34:23: How Tom signed Ilona Maher

34:23 - 37: 36: Dave's thoughts after the Loughborough Lightening defeat

37: 36 - 39:49: How they will prep for the semi final

39:49 - 42:14: Messages to the traveling fans

42: 14 - 45:41: Tom's failed attempt to sign Fury the Gladiator and a vote of thanks

Post interview:

45:41 - 55:15: Our thoughts on the chat

55:15 - 65: 53: Semi-final preview

65: 53 - 70:15: Score predictions

70:15 - the end: Dave's punditry trousers

Let us know what you think!