By Tom Little.
March 25 2014

29th March 2014 previews including Coventry Rugby v Esher

Fixtures Week 27 - 29^th March.

Blaydon                     v      Blackheath

Cinderford                v      Loughborough Students

Coventry Rugby       v      Esher

Henley Hawks          v      Worthing Raiders

Hull Ionians              v      Tynedale

Old Albanian            v      Wharfedale

Richmond                v       Fylde

Rosslyn Park            v      Doncaster Knights

Only 4 games left to play for most teams this season with the key game on Saturday being the promotion clash between leaders Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park. The other end of the table is equally interesting with some crucial games involving no less than 5 teams battling to avoid the last two relegation spots as they are only separated by 5 points.

Tie of the round and indeed season is the meeting of the two pre-season favourites leaders Doncaster Knights as they travel to Rosslyn Park. Both sides have virtually matching points differences with Doncaster ahead of Park in view of their superior try bonus points and a win instead of a draw. If Rosslyn Park do beat Doncaster then the title race is wide open with possibly Coventry Rugby holding both the Kingmaker or King Slayer roles as they have to face both sides in the following two rounds.

With both sides able to win even when not at their best this consistency in the league promises a close and hard fought battle. In the end home advantage might just prove the difference which could go down to a single score.

It is third against fifth as Coventry Rugby entertain Esher at the Butts Park Arena, in what is expected to be another close contest. Another crucial game if the home side want to cement third place. A full preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.

If the top of the table clash is  expected to be exciting then surely the meeting of Henley Hawks and Worthing Raiders at the other end should be equally so, as both sides try to avoid relegation. This is a reprise of last season’s tussle which in the end saw both sides promoted before a record 3000 plus crowd. Such a crowd is not expected this time but Henley who last week put up a good display at Blackheath should have enough firepower to overcome a brave Worthing side who can score tries but have lost the ability to win matches.

Cinderford still in the relegation zone but with 2 games in hand also face a crucial game at home to Loughborough Students. An important win for the Students last week gave them something of a breathing space but Cinderford at home will be slight favourites for the win, which would then put more pressure on Worthing and Henley.

Tynedale, whose second half fight-back against Coventry Rugby gave them a much needed bonus point win, taking them to 12^th place, face an awkward visit to Hull Ionians. Still only 4 points ahead of danger Tynedale cannot take this game too lightly as the Ionians have recently been showing a more competitive edge. However the greater need for the visitors should prove decisive.

Old Albanian entertain Wharfedale who are now looking to avoid their 7^th consecutive loss. Dale are still too close to the danger zone but probably only need one win to be safe, but they don’t always travel well so the home side should be firm favourites for the win which should consolidate their position in the top half of the table.    

Two mid-table teams meet as Blaydon have Blackheath as their visitors. Both had good wins last Saturday but the power of the home pack should be decisive, although any team with Dave Allen in it cannot be taken too lightly. Home advantage should give Blaydon the victory in a close encounter.

The final game sees two strong sides Richmond and Fylde meet. Fylde will be looking to overtake Coventry in third place, whilst Richmond will want to put behind them their early season losses as they now look for a top half finish, more in keeping with their quality. The home pack is big and experienced and should have the edge if they can keep the dangerous Fylde backs from the ball. The London side is expected to put down a marker for the coming season.       

Coventry Rugby v Esher match preview.         

This Saturday 29^th March sees Coventry Rugby entertain Esher here at the Butts Park Arena with kick off as usual at 3 pm. 

Esher formed in 1923, are in their second season in National League 1 after relegation from the Championship. Last season they finished in second place to eventual champions Ealing Tfs, and are currently in 5th place on 73 points with 15 wins and 11 losses, compared to Coventry Rugby third place on 84 points with 17 wins and 9 losses.  

A somewhat traumatic pre-season saw Head Coach Ollie Smith depart to rivals Rosslyn Park, with Craig Chambers replacing him assisted by Forwards Coach Ricky Nebbett and Player Coach Kris Chesney.       

Esher have managed to keep most of their experienced players from last season although as usual with London environs clubs there seems to be a continual movement between clubs, colloquially known as the M25 shuffle  including the loss of Harlequins dual registered loan players.   

Winger Anders Morgenson has come in from Championship side Moseley and fly-half and goal-kicker Micky Wilson from Rovigo. Esher have a very experienced pack with a back row of No 8 Mick Macfarlane with flankers Cameron Gentles and Peter Synnott.   More experience is found with the locks Ian Kench and Kris Chesney. Key front row players include hooker Neil Sweeney with props Dave Millard, Ollie Mines and Stewart Maguire who is earning good reviews.

Injury to goal-kicker Luke Daniels has allowed Micky Wilson in or else fly-half Tom Whelan with new scrum-half Pat O’Grady.  Speed on the wings is found with Andy Wright and former Coventry player Spencer Sutherland. Centres Aaron Cruckshanks and experienced Tom Cheeseman also add pace and effectiveness to the team.

Esher made a good start to the season being in the top four for most of it until they hit a poor patch just around Christmas .Overall they have lost 11 games including four at home with Coventry Rugby taking away their 100% home record in November by 20-14, and since then Wharfedale and recently close matches with Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park.

Coventry Rugby will be looking for their sixth winning double of the season with Esher determined to deny them this and take revenge for  Coventry taking their unbeaten  home record  away.  Coventry Rugby need to put behind them the tactical errors shown in their loss away to Tynedale to give them confidence for their forthcoming games against Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park.   

A good all round side, Esher although not quite living up to being one of the pre-season favourites   still have the ability and experience to trouble most teams in this league.

Before what is expected to be the largest crowd seen at the Butts Park Arena for some month,  Coventry Rugby want the win to prove they have the credentials to compete at the top  and reward the home crowd for their continued excellent support this season.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

24^th March 2014.

National league 1 week 27 - round 27...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 25/03/2014 17:35

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
25/03/2014 17:35

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