Coventry
National league 1 week 16 - round 16, Saturday 21st December
By Tom Little.
December 17 2013
Match previews including Cinderford v Coventry rugby.
Fixtures Week 16 - Saturday 21st December
Blackheath v Worthing Raiders
Blaydon v Tynedale
Cinderford v Coventry Rugby
Doncaster Knights v Hull Ionians
Henley Hawks v Esher
Old Albanian v Loughborough Students
Richmond v Rosslyn Park
Wharfedale v Fylde
Will Week 16 be the new dawn breaking for the teams as the second half of the season commences, or will it just confirm the existing status quo? It has to be said that the top half of the table only contains one surprise that of Wharfedale, now in the heady heights of 4th place, a considerable achievement after their tribulations of last season. The top three sides are as expected with Rosslyn Park currently the most consistent and only second by dint of an early lack of bonus points. The following 5 sides are only separated by 7 points so still everything for them to play for.
There does appear to be a gap opening up between the two half’s of the table, with only Hull Ionians the virtual certainty for relegation. The other two places are still as wide open, with Tynedale one of the other favourites for relegation. We have already seen that most teams are capable of beating each other so there are no foregone conclusions at this end of the table and even Old Albanian in 9th place are not yet safe.
Last Saturday it was Rosslyn Park, this week it is leaders Doncaster Knights, who have the light relief of facing bottom side Hull Ionians. No doubt Doncaster will be glad of this in view of them facing the top three sides and beating them all in the last month. They may want to beat the Park’s 8 tries against them just to prove their credentials but an easy win is expected to cement their lead.
On the face of it another expected win as the most consistent side in the league Rosslyn Park travel the short distance to Richmond. Yet Richmond, after two successive victories based on their pack finally living up to its promise will provide a stiff challenge to their neighbours. This game could be closer than expected but Park have shown they have the experience and control to win such type of game, a win that is required for them to keep on the tails of Doncaster. Richmond have their own reasons to get the win as they don’t want to be dragged closer to the danger zone.
Another short distance travel sees third placed Esher cross the M25 to visit Henley Hawks. A crucial game for both sides as the home side need to get back to winning ways after 2 consecutive losses to keep them in the safety zone whilst Esher, only 6 points behind Doncaster cannot afford to lose any more ground to them. Another close game but the visitors should have the better all round game to win.
Wharfedale entertain Fylde in what can be termed their only local derby this season. Despite Fylde finding last week that they could play with water wings both sides will be hoping for better weather. Another extremely close contest between two well matched sides is expected with both going for the win to either cement 4th place or to put pressure on third placed Esher.
Wharfedale have only lost once in their last 9 games and on their home turf must be slight favourites, however the fast off-loading style of Fylde cannot rule them out of the game, as they go for their third consecutive win which may end in a very close result.
Proving how tight it is in the upper echelons of the league, Coventry Rugby’s two consecutive losses to Rosslyn Park and Doncaster, has seen them move down from 3rd to 6th place, but a win in this away match at Cinderford could move them up to 4th. A more detailed match analysis will follow at the end of this general preview.
The result of the tie between north-eastern rivals Blaydon and Tynedale should set a marker down for the remainder of the season, Blaydon need the win to put them in sight of 6th place but more importantly for Tynedale, they need to win to at least give them a chance to claw their way to safety from their current position of being 7 points behind. The impressive home side, no longer merely relying on their pack should be too strong for their visitors.
It is a mid- table clash as Old Albanian have Loughborough Students as their visitors. A difficult one to predict as both sides have fallen off the pace recently. However, perhaps the win is more important to the Students who need to keep in the top half of the table, although Old Albanian can never be written off.
With both sides struggling for wins, consistency and escaping the clutches from the relegation area, Rectory Field sees Blackheath and Worthing Raiders meet A match not for those of a nervous disposition, or those wanting to keep their remaining fingernails. Blackheath, in the third relegation spot need the win to possibly move out of it, whilst a misfiring Raiders side, despite scoring many tries are only 6 points ahead of Blackheath. A crucial game for both sides.
CINDERFORD V COVENTRY RUGBY MATCH PREVIEW
This Saturday 21st December sees Coventry Rugby travel to the Forest of Dean to meet Cinderford, kick off 2.30 pm at the Beavis Memorial Ground, Dockham Road in this first game of the second half of the season.
Last season Cinderford finished 11th in the league and this season under new head Coach Andy Deacon and assisted by experienced former Moseley fly-half Brad Davies, are currently in 13th place, just one point above the relegation zone, with 9 losses, 5 wins all at home and one draw leaving them on 26 points and the second lowest points scored record in the league. However this record hides the fact that they have been sucked into the danger zone by reason of their atrocious away form, having lost all 7 games, including their second game of the season at Coventry Rugby by 38-13. However it is a different story at home having beaten Hull Ionians, Old Albanians, Blackheath, Fylde and Tynedale, with a draw against Henley Hawks. Their only two home losses have been to Doncaster and Rosslyn Park, so no disgrace there.
Andy Deacon has maintained close links with Premiership side Gloucester Rugby, as well as Hartpury College, with a number of dual registered loan players being attached to them, as well as from other teams including Worcester Warriors and Bristol Rugby.
Since last season a number of new players have arrived but the bulk of last season’s squad remain including wingers Nev Codlin and Lloyd Stapleton, who have both caused Coventry problems in the past. An impressive retained back division also includes Mike Wilcox at full-back and No 10 Mike Davies, who is now helped by Brad Davies and Jack Adams in the centre. Danny Pointon has also played at scrum-half.
Forwards remaining including the influential George Evans at No 8 and prop Tom Bozzard.
There have been some interesting new signings including some very recent ones such as Adam Balding at No 8 and Harry Casson-lock from Worcester Warriors, who joins former Coventry loanee Tom Hicks being dual registered from Gloucester Rugby. Will Davis the prop forward who started the season off at Coventry is also playing for them on loan from Bristol. Centre Sam Hanks has also been signed direct from Newcastle Falcons Academy/Blaydon.
The back row has been further boosted by Will Keenan from Preston Grasshoppers and Roger Birkin. A couple more dr loan players from Gloucester are also playing ,prop Tom Heard and scrum-half Reece Boughton.
An important game for both sides as Cinderford need to maintain their excellent home form to give them a chance to escape the threat of relegation, whilst Coventry Rugby have seen how in the last two weeks that a couple of losses have dropped them to 6th place. Coventry also need to put behind them any injury worries and get back to winning ways after losing two consecutive games for the first time this season.
Last season both games went to the home side as Coventry found it difficult to cope with the counter attacking style of Cinderford letting a large lead slip. They cannot afford to be so generous this season as they look to again put pressure on the sides just above them in the league.
Coventry Rugby, all its players and officials would like to thank all their fans who have been following their team in increasing numbers this season for their continues support .As this will the final game before Christmas they would also like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a New Year full of rugby promise.
Tom little
Coventry Rugby press office
18th December 2013
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