Photo By Nick Meredith.

By Tom Little.
March 17 2014

Including match preview of Tynedale v Coventry rugby.

Week - Round 26.  Fixtures Saturday 22^nd March.

Blackheath                                   v        Henley Hawks

Doncaster Knights                      v        Old Albanian

Esher                                             v        Rosslyn Park

Fylde                                             v        Cinderford

Loughborough Students           v        Hull Ionians

Tynedale                                      v        Coventry Rugby

Wharfedale                                 v        Blaydon

Worthing Raiders                       v        Richmond

I make no apology for starting the week’s previews with the intriguing fight to stay in this league as Saturday’s wins by Richmond at Cinderford and Henley Hawks home win over Blaydon has virtually moved Richmond to safety in 8^th place, and Henley up to 12^th. However, there is still only 4 points separating 11^th and 15^th place as these 5 teams try to avoid the final two relegation places.

Loughborough Students, whose recent consecutive 6 losses has left them just 2 points ahead of the danger zone have the added incentive of facing already relegated Hull Ionians. However, as Fylde found to their cost 2 weeks ago Hull Ionians cannot be taken too lightly, but with home advantage the Students should just have enough to win to give them a small breathing space, at least until next week.

Worthing Raiders who are just 2 points from safety but with only 7 seven wins so far, are still finding that their try scoring ability has not matched the end result, which makes their home fixture against Richmond so important. Richmond after Saturday’s fine  bonus point win away at Cinderford are now realistically safe in 8th place but this home fixture is a must win for Worthing if  they don’t want to go straight back to National League 2.

Another side struggling to avoid the big drop is 15^th placed Cinderford  who have to travel to 4th placed Fylde. Despite having two games in hand Cinderford lost last week at home but it is wins they need not games in hand. Fylde on their own patch should prove resilient but recent losses to both Coventry and Hull Ionians may have dented their confidence and the Foresters pack might prove the difference.

Despite Henley Hawks winning their last two games they are still equal on points with 14^th placed side Worthing Raiders, so their away game at Blackheath takes on a crucial role. Blackheath themselves are too close to the danger zone and probably still two more wins for safety. A tense and close affair is expected but if Dave Allen can continue his scoring spree then Blackheath might just edge it.

An equally difficult game to predict is at Tynedale as they take on their high flying visitors Coventry Rugby. With four successive victories Coventry Rugby are now up to 3^rd place but Tynedale themselves have had a recent run of good form apart from a heavy defeat at Rosslyn Park, and with them always difficult to beat at home a close game is expected. A fuller match preview on this game will follow at the end of this general preview.

Leaders Doncaster Knights, who are yet to lose at home, have Old Albanian as their visitors. With Old Albanian finally finding their better form from last season they cannot be ruled out, but as Doncaster have already showed they can pull games out of the fire even after struggling. A close home win is expected to heap more pressure on Rosslyn Park.

Rosslyn Park for their part, face a difficult short away trip to Esher. Yet, Park are in a similar vein of form as Doncaster and should be slight favourites to win another tense and close battle. Esher last time out went very close to beating Doncaster and buoyed by this game, the result might be a lot closer than first expected.

The final game sees a northern clash between Wharfedale and Blaydon, in what can only be described as a mid-table clash. With both sides having recently struggled to find some consistent form another close game is expected where home advantage should just give Wharfedale the edge.

Tynedale v Coventry rugby match preview.

This coming Saturday 22^nd March sees Coventry Rugby make their longest trip of the season as they travel to the north-east to face Tynedale with a 3 pm kick off. The picturesque Tynedale ground is situated at Corbridge, close to Hadrians Wall and 17 miles west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Founded in 1876 just 2 years after Coventry Rugby, under Chairman of Rugby John Shotton, Tynedale last season finished in 12^th place with 11 wins and they are currently in 13^th place on 50 match points with 9 wins and 17 losses, compared to Coventry Rugby’s 3^rd place, with 82 match points, 17 wins and 8 losses. Having had a poor start to the season with 6 consecutive losses and rooted in 15^th place, Tynedale suddenly started to find some form, strangely enough commencing with the Coventry game, as they fought back to lose by just 2 points and gained two crucial bonus points. Since then they have had a 50% record with wins over Hull Ionians, Old Albanian, Wharfedale, Blackheath, Loughborough Students and an impressive home win over Esher. They also lost by 1 point at home to leaders Doncaster Knights, so even with their present lowly position they cannot be taken too lightly especially at home. Despite this improvement they are equal on points with 14^th placed Worthing Raiders only leading by dint of them having won more games. Certainly they are not free from the threat of relegation so this home game is taking on monumental importance for them.

Tynedale’s recent improvement in form can be put down to a number of experienced players coming back after injury and the continued relationship with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons, which has seen a number of dual registered Academy loan players making their mark in the team.

The recent return of winger Hamish Smales, and full-back Matty Outson , and the early season return of winger Sep Visser from Scotland has given the side more balance. Converted flanker to centre Ben Frankland has suddenly achieved 15 tries often being on the end of a trademark rolling maul, which suggests that their pack is now achieving at least parity with other sides. Experienced half-backs Gavin Beasley and scrum-half Greg Illingworth can cause problems and in winger Dan Rundle they have an established finisher.

Key players from the Falcons Academy include centre Chris Harris and fullback and goal-kicker Craig Willis with back rowers Harrison Collins and Matt Charters earning good reviews. More experience in the pack come from locks Dan Temm and Richard Dunn, with former Falcons player Andy Buist to give the necessary grunt and power.

Coventry Rugby will be going for their 5^th win in a row and their 6^th winning double of the season which will help them consolidate their third position and continue to put their marker down for next season. However Tynedale, especially at home will prove tough opposition as witnessed by their easy home victory over Esher and narrowly losing by one point to Doncaster.

Although both sides have the ability to score tries the result of this match may come down to which pack is dominant. A hard fought and close contest is expected as Tynedale fight to survive in this league as they do need this crucial home win, or they will be dragged back into the relegation places.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

17^th March 2014.

National league 1 week 26 - Saturday 22nd March 2014.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 17/03/2014 12:15

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
17/03/2014 12:15

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