By Tom Little
December 3 2014

...including Coventry Rugby v Fylde.

Week 14 fixtures Saturday 6^th December 2014.

Coventry Rugby                           v        Fylde

Darlington Mowden Park          v        Loughborough Students

Ealing Tfs                                      v        Blackheath

Esher                                             v        Blaydon

Hartpury College                         v       Old Albanian

Macclesfield                                v       Wharfedale

Richmond                                    v       Cinderford

Tynedale                                      v       Rosslyn Park     

No pre-amble required this week as for the second week running Coventry Rugby are involved in another Match of the Day ,this time against fourth placed Fylde who are just three points behind them. Before an expected record crowd for this season at the Butts Park Arena Coventry Rugby will be looking to consolidate their lead over Fylde and thus maintain pressure on both Rosslyn Park and Ealing Tfs just ahead of them. A more detailed match preview will follow.

Leaders Ealing Tfs after their first defeat of the season at Coventry are expected to recover their poise as they face 6^th placed London rivals Blackheath at Vallis Way. Although high scorers at home Blackheath are not so successful on their travels and Ealing are expected to show no mercy as they look to maintain their lead over Rosslyn Park now down to just one point.

If Ealing do slip up again then Rosslyn Park are expected to take full advantage as they travel to an out of sorts Tynedale, who have the second worse defensive record in the league. Surely a certain 5 points for Park!

Richmond now out of the title race face a Cinderford side back in the second relegation place and showing very little form away from home. The home side are expected to get a relatively easy win leaving their visitors increasingly isolated near the foot of the table.

Macclesfield, still with only one win entertain their NW rivals Wharfedale, who put Richmond to the sword last week. Despite this crucial win Wharfedale are still only four points from safety so need the win to move them away from the danger zone.

A side flattering to deceive Darlington Mowden Park, now filling the final relegation place face another bottom half side in Loughborough Students. Despite last week’s win the Students are just three points ahead of their hosts so a must win game for either side. Darlington MP should have enough experience to just shade this one, and hopefully for them move them out of the danger zone.

Two more struggling sides Hartpury College and Old Albanian meet, again very close to the wrong area of the league and only separated by two points. The visitors having been showing better form of late and they may just squeeze a win over their hosts.

The final game sees Esher take on Blaydon at Molesey Road. Recently Esher have been inconsistent and  Blaydon with their dominant pack now giving them a strong platform may spring a surprise after their long journey away from home.

Coventry Rugby v Fylde match preview Saturday 6^th December 2014.

This coming Saturday 6^th December 2014 here at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3 pm sees Coventry Rugby meet  Fylde, third against fourth as these two old foes battle over third position and to maintain pressure on Rosslyn Park and Ealing just above them.

Founded in 1919 Fylde, based on the North-West Lancashire coast close to Blackpool the club has a rich history in both International and the Lancashire County scene. Promoted back to National League 1, 4 seasons ago Fylde finished 4^th,6th and last season 3^rd after Coventry Rugby were deducted 5 points. Currently Fylde are in 4^th place on 50 points, 3 behind Coventry with 9 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Under Head Coach Mark Nelson, assisted by player coaches flanker David Fairbrother from the Royal Navy and iconic lock Paul Arnold whose years have not diminished his try scoring exploits  and refereeing ability, Fylde are on a run of 7 consecutive home wins the most impressive of which was the only defeat inflicted on Rosslyn Park by 22-17.Fylde’s away form has not been quite so impressive  beating Hartpury College and Macclesfield and an excellent draw at Darlington MP, but  two close losses to Esher and more surprisingly to Tynedale as well a heavy loss to leaders Ealing Tfs by 56-15 as they were muscled out of it in the first half with the backs carving through in the second.

As usual with Fylde they have kept the bulk of their side together over the past few seasons playing an attractive open off-loading style which has brought them wins over league favourites such as Rosslyn park and Doncaster Knights last season. Certainly a side that cannot be taken too lightly as any lack of defence will be exploited to the full.

In wingers Oli Brennand they have a proven try scorer finishing with 20 last season, and is currently on 13 and Jordan Dorrington is equally adept. With 50 plus appearances for Fylde centre/full-back Warren Spragg adds experience   matched by the return of centre Scott Rawlings from Longton, to add to centre Chris Briers, full-back Olly Viney and new centres Sam Bedlow and Mark Goodman. Key half-backs see Richard Kenyon and Chris Johnson who are also goal-kickers and fly-halfs  with scrum-halfs Greg Nicholls  from Bristol and Namibian  International  Ryan De la Harpe with former Coventry Rugby No 9 Martin Wallwork.

An experienced pack include Paul Arnold at lock and an impressive mobile back row of Sam Beaumont, Gareth Rawlings, Evan Stewart, Ben Vernon and Joe Robinson can exploit any loose ball.

More experience is found in the front row with hooker Tom Burtonwood and prop forwards Simon Griffiths, Dan Birchall and Adam Lewis, and hooker cum flanker Danny Maher.

Last season Coventry Rugby did the double over Fylde winning 32-5 at the Butts Park Arena and in arguably their best away performance of the season 36-15 on the coast.

With Coventry Rugby’s more expansive style with its direct running by the backs which has seen the team score 50 tries with 31 by the backs, an entertaining and high scoring game is expected. Coventry Rugby need to close down their visitors strong runners who are capable from scoring from deep. Both sides will be looking for the win to either put daylight between them and Fylde in case of Coventry Rugby, or to takeover 3^rd place in the case of Fylde. Coventry Rugby will be looking for their record 10^th win on the trot, but more importantly to emphasise their title credentials.

Another big crowd is expected at the Butts Park Arena for the usual 3 pm kick off for what is expected to be an excellent and entertaining game of rugby.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

3^rd December 2014.

Week 14 NL 1 previews Saturday 6.12.2014

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 03/12/2014 16:43

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
03/12/2014 16:43

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Peter Redhead
03/12/2014 20:31

Looking forward so much to this game, especially with so many of the Old Players being present for their annual get together. A really special day and hopefully the 16 man will be present again with vocal home support.

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