By Tom Little
November 11 2014

...including Coventry Rugby v Darlington Mowden Park.

Week 11 Fixtures 14^th- 15^th November

Friday 14.11.2014              Rosslyn Park                          v        Esher

Saturday 15.11.2014         Blackheath                             v       Hartpury College

                                              Blaydon                                  v        Cinderford

                                              Coventry Rugby                    v        Darlington Mowden Park

                                              Ealing Tfs                               v        Tynedale

                                              Fylde                                       v       Wharfedale

                                             Loughborough Students       v       Macclesfield

                                             Old Albanian                           v       Richmond     

The top 4 sides are all at home this weekend, but with the heavier pitches that we are now getting will these act as a leveller or will the status quo be maintained? The other end of the table sees all three relegation candidates facing difficult fixtures.

Leaders Ealing Tfs have the enigma of Tynedale to face at Vallis Way. Thumped at home by Darlington MP then home victors over a high flying Fylde side Tynedale hopefully still boosted by the return of Falcons players and captain Jack Harrison will feel more comfortable despite their prospective long trip. However as we have seen Ealing are managing to get victories and should be too powerful.

Friday night sees another London derby clash this time between Rosslyn Park and Esher. Park are now only 3 points behind Ealing and although Esher should put up a strong fight the home side are playing with enough confidence to get this crucial win.

After one northern clash last Saturday which saw Fylde lose at Tynedale , they are back at home for another northern clash against Wharfedale. After some recent first half poor displays, a much closer first half against Blaydon allowed them to get a late late win. Another close game is expected and if the Wharfdale pack can get on top then might surprise Fylde.

If there is a surprise at Fylde, then Coventry Rugby might benefit as they have Darlington Mowden Park as their visitors and are only 2 points behind Fylde. Coventry certainly cannot afford to take Park too lightly as they were very close to causing an upset against leaders Ealing Tfs. A full preview of this game will follow.

There is an intriguing clash as fifth placed Richmond travel to Old Albanian. Both sides need the win for different reasons, with Richmond needing to keep within view of Coventry, whilst Old Albanian, despite their win at Cinderford, are still in a relegation place with a win required to bring them closer to safety. Possibly a game too close to call.

Blackheath and Hartpury College after traumatic losses last Saturday, especially Hartpury losing in injury time to Coventry meet each other. Hartpury do have enough quality to trouble most sides but whether they have the overall experience to win away at Blackheath remains to be seen. Another close game, which could go down to one score.

Two sides at the wrong end of the table, Blaydon and Cinderford meet in the north-east. Another home defeat for Cinderford has seen them drop into 15^th place and still 7 points from safety, whilst Blaydon have struggled this year and are only 10 points clear of their visitors. More woe for Cinderford is expected as home experience should count.

The final game sees bottom side Macclesfield travel to Loughborough Students, who themselves are too close to the danger zone for comfort. Although Macclesfield are slowly finding their feet they are still winless and pointless and even at this early stage of the season time is running out for them. The Students should be favourites to take the spoils.

Coventry Rugby v Darlington Mowden Park match preview Saturday 15^th November 2014.

Saturday 15^th November at the Butts Park Arena with kick off at 3 pm sees the first ever meeting of league newcomers Darlington Mowden Park and Coventry Rugby. Ambitious both on and off the field Darlington MP started life as Darlington Grammar School Old Boys just after the Second World War and accepted as a club by the RFU in 1950.In 1970 they moved to Yiewsley Drive and the name changed to Mowden Park RFC. Problems at Darlington Football Club led the football club to leave the purpose built ground now known as the Northern Echo Arena in Darlington. The Rugby Club stepped in buying the ground in 2012 which holds 25000 but is currently restricted to 10000. Mowden Park RFC then added Darlington to its name which more reflected where it was.

Currently Darlington MP have the second largest average crowd in League 1, only bettered by Coventry Rugby. With most of the ground and area rented out this helps to fund the Rugby Club and news just breaking is that a ground-share with Darlington Football Club is on the cards.

On the pitch steady progress was made through the leagues, with Darlington’s avowed aim to reach the Championship within three years. Under Head Coach Danny Brown and Coach John Newton, Darlington MP were promoted to National league 1 after winning the play-off against Ampthill after extra time.

Currently Darlington MP are on 17 points in 13^th place with 3 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses, however this does include a 5 point deduction apparently in similar circumstances to what Coventry suffered last season. Wins achieved were over Cinderford and Macclesfield and an impressive away victory at Tynedale. At home they also drew 29 all with 3^rd placed Fylde, and last weekend put up a strong showing, especially amongst their forwards in the second half holding leaders Ealing Tfs to just 7 points difference. Last minute defeats against Richmond, Blaydon and Hartpury College, has somewhat hidden how well they have settled into this new league.

Following promotion Darlington MP have recruited well, making sure they won’t be relegated like last years promoted sides. The pack has been strengthened to go with an already effective back line. Key players such as Gary Law either at No 10 or 15 and a proven goal-kicker came in from Rotherham Titans, as well as  dangerous Australian scrum-half Zylon McGaffin back on loan also from the Titans. An experienced front row includes hooker Matt Thompson from Newcastle Falcons, and prop forwards Matt Shields from Plymouth Albion and Gareth Nesbit from Westoe. George Hedgley has just been selected for the Scotland U20’s squad and partners Chris Campbell in the lock position. No 8 Ollie Hodgson is out with a broken hand and with Aaron Myers, a signing from Wharfedale still not available, Guy Van Den Vries has stepped in to go with an impressive back-row of Rob Conquest from Cambridge ,Max Connon, Callum MacKenzie and Charlie Maddison who can double up as hooker.

The backs include recent MOM No 10 and goal-kicker Tom Hodgson, centres Cameron Mitchell and Jamie Barnard from Hull RUFC. To go with Darlington’s off-loading style wingers such as Chris McTurk, Tom Kill and a name known to Coventry, Joe Nellany can take advantage of available chances.

Darlington Mowden Park have already shown more established sides in this league that they have the ability,not only to survive their first season but to cause a few upsets along the way. Certainly a team that Coventry Rugby cannot take for granted.

With the two best supported sides in the league meeting at the Butts Park Arena with kick off as usual at 3pm, a large and enthusiastic crowd is expected as Coventry Rugby go for their seventh win on the trot to keep pressure on those teams just above them, whilst Darlington Mowden Park will be looking for a win to move them away from the wrong end of the table.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

11^th November 2014.

Week 11 national league 1 previews 14th- 15th November 2014

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 11/11/2014 17:04

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
11/11/2014 17:04

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net