By Tom Little
March 3 2015

...including Darlington Mowden Park v Coventry Rugby.

Catch up results 28^th February 2015

Macclesfield               7           45            Ealing Trailfinders

Wharfedale                 8            6             Esher

The two catch up fixtures saw Ealing increase their lead to 9 points with an expected bonus point victory over bottom side Macclesfield, after a dominant first half performance led by flanker Arthur Ellis, leaving Macclesfield unable now to escape relegation, whilst Wharfedale made themselves virtually safe for another season with a hard fought victory over Esher, giving them a 15 point cushion over 14^th place.

Fixtures Saturday 7^th March 2015

Cinderford                                      v          Blaydon

Darlington Mowden Park            v          Coventry Rugby

Esher                                               v          Rosslyn Park

Hartpury College                           v          Blackheath

Macclesfield                                   v          Loughborough Students

Richmond                                       v          Old Albanian

Tynedale                                         v          Ealing Trailfinders

Wharfedale                                    v           Fylde

Another week where the top three all travel away ,with Coventry Rugby facing the toughest task. Whilst the fight to avoid relegation sees a must win for both Tynedale and Cinderford as they clutch at straws for survival.

Leaders Ealing Trailfinders have arguably another easy away task at 15^th placed Tynedale, who are still 12 points from safety. It is a must win for Tynedale if they have any chance for survival but the power and finishing of Ealing should give the home side no respite as another bonus point win is on the cards.

Hoping for any sort of slip up will be Rosslyn Park as they travel to neighbours Esher, who lost narrowly away at Wharfedale last week. With Park in fine form they should be too strong for Esher who have blown hot and cold this season.

Coventry Rugby, who make their first ever trip to Darlington Mowden Park are looking to maintain pressure on the two teams above them despite losing their last two games. A full preview will follow.

A side running out of games to avoid relegation, Cinderford entertain a Blaydon side who are virtually safe being 16 points ahead of the danger zone. A must win for the Foresters to try and put pressure on Old Albanian just above them

Old Albanian will be hoping for no such win as they travel to Richmond in what could be a tricky fixture. Richmond has come off the boil recently and Old Albanian really need the win to at least keep their lead of 6 points over Cinderford. A game that could go either way but OA’s greater need might swing it.

Hartpury College, now clear in 6^th place have 4^th placed Blackheath as their visitors. Blackheath are also in a rich vein for form and they cannot afford to take College too lightly. A high scoring encounter is expected with Hartpury slight favourites to close in on Fylde in 5^th place.

Fylde travel to their north-western rivals Wharfedale looking for another win as they hope to take over from Blackheath in 4^th place. Wharfedale, who are now virtually safe should be confident to squeeze out another close win.

The final game sees already relegated Macclesfield meet Loughborough Students, who are 13 points ahead of danger, with surely only one win required to make sure of safety. Can’t see Macclesfield denting the Students survival hopes.

DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK  V  COVENTRY RUGBY MATCH PREVIEW SATURDAY 7^TH MATCH 2015

This coming Saturday 7^th March 2015 Coventry Rugby make their first ever visit to the Northern Echo Arena, with kick off at 3pm to meet league newcomers Darlington Mowden Park. The club started off as Darlington Grammar School Old Boys in 1950 moving to Yiewsley Drive in 1970 when the name was changed to Mowden Park. As financial troubles enveloped Darlington Football Club the football, club had to vacate their purpose build ground at purpose built Northern Echo Arena. The rugby club stepped in in 2012 buying the ground, which has a capacity of 25000, although currently restricted to 10000, and added Darlington to its name to more reflect the area it was in.

An ambitious club DMP have the second highest average attendances only beaten by Coventry Rugby and a desire to reach the Championship within 3 years. A steady move through the leagues saw them win the playoff over Ampthill at the end of last season to take their place in National League 1.

Under Head Coach Danny Brown and Coach John Newton Darlington MP are currently in 8^th place on 57 match points after a 5 point deduction for an administrative error, but after a poor start to their first ever NL1 season  they have now won 11,drawn 1 and lost 12 games. Their record at home has been better than away with 7 wins, 1 draw and only 4 losses. Home wins include over Blackheath, Richmond and Esher, a draw with Fylde, and a credible close result with Ealing only losing 14-21 after pummelling the Ealing line in the second half.

Earlier in the season a strong fight-back saw Park lose a close match at Coventry by 29-17, a warning that Coventry Rugby will have to be on their mettle to get a win , especially as Coventry are on their worst losing run of the season of 2 games.

Darlington MP have recruited well boosting both their pack and backs for this their inaugural season in NL1 and after a slow start the team is reaching its potential. Like Coventry Rugby, Park have recently been in the transfer market partially due to the loss of some key players with scrum-half Zylon McGaffin  going back to Australia, front rowers Matt Shields to Quins and hooker Matt Thompson to Ealing Trailfinders .New signings include former Coventry prop Ignas Darklintis on loan from Ealing, Sam Stuart scrum-half from Quins, Darren Fearn loan prop from Sale and influential No 8 Andrew Cox from Australia.

Key players retained from last season include fly-halfs and goal-kickers Tom Hodgson  and Grant Connon, captain and centre Cameron Mitchell and dangerous wingers Ben Rath and Tom Kill and full-back Henry Robinson  who links well with his backs. There is experience in the pack with flankers Callum Mackenzie and Jake Allcock, and lock Ralph Appleby and prop Charles Purkiss McEndoo.

Early season new signings include Gary Law, who can play either No 10 or full-back from Rotherham Titans, locks Ben Gledhill from Salford Reds RL and George Hedgley Scotland U 20’s, flanker Rob Conquest has come from Cambridge with fellow back rowers Charles Maddison and Joseph Maul. Adam Nixon as scrum-half has come in from Nuneaton Rfc.

A key game for both sides as Darlington MP will want to consolidate a top half position in their first season in NL1, whilst Coventry Rugby will be looking to overcome a recent series of poor results and put a marker down for next season.

For those supporters travelling to the north  the full postal address is The Northern Echo Arena, Neasham Road, Darlington, DL2 1DL.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

3^rd March 2015

Week 25 national league 1 previews Saturday 7th March 2015..

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 03/03/2015 16:34

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
03/03/2015 16:34

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