Coventry
Week 13 national league 1 previews weekend 28th - 29th Nov
By Tom Little
November 25 2014
...2014 including Coventry Rugby v Ealing Trailfinders.
Fixtures Friday 28th November 2014.
Loughborough Students v Hartpury College
Saturday 29th November 2014
Blackheath v Tynedale
Blaydon v Macclesfield
Coventry Rugby v Ealing Tfs
Fylde v Cinderford
Old Albanian v Esher
Rosslyn Park v Darlington Mowden Park
Wharfedale v Richmond
A weekend that may be damp, surfaces which may be heavy, but a league that promises excitement and commitment sadly lacking in some other quarters of the rugby nation. This weekend should be no different with 3 of the top 4 sides at home with surely no prizes for guessing MOTD as unbeaten leaders Ealing Tfs travel to Coventry Rugby after their comprehensive victory over last week’s third placed Fylde.
In probably the most important game Coventry Rugby have faced since their return to National League 1 as they meet unbeaten leaders Ealing Tfs, who have only dropped three bonus points in their 12 wins. Coventry Rugby for their part will be not only looking for a ninth win on the trot but also the win to put pressure on the leaders. A full match preview of this game will follow.
Another important fixture for future aspirations is the meeting of Rosslyn Park and Darlington Mowden Park. Hardly Park sides as both teams have impressive future plans, but Rosslyn Park need the win to maintain their own title hopes and to keep pressure on Ealing, whilst Darlington MP despite an excellent win last Saturday are still too close to the danger zone, but they do have enough of an all-round game to trouble the home side. It may be a lot closer than first expected.
Slightly easier to predict is 4th placed Fylde at home to Cinderford. Despite a heavier loss than expected at Ealing and Cinderford’s crucial win at home, Fylde should find the Foresters an easier target to beat. It has been said that Cinderford are a better side than their results suggest and backed up by their recent fine win, they will not be a walkover for the home side.
Friday night sees the youngsters clash in the battle of the Colleges or is it Universities, as Loughborough Students entertain league newcomers Hartpury College. The Gloucester lads have had a better start in the league than Loughborough, which has seen the Students drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Two well matched sides should see the advantage just go to the home side.
Old Albanian had a large bonus point victory at Macclesfield and must be confident enough to take on an inconsistent Esher at home in St.Albans. Another two well matched sides should ensure a close game but once again home advantage might just sway it.
Another inconsistent side with possibly the excuse of mounting injury problems Wharfedale ,have Richmond as their visitors. Recent losses have seen both sides fall from near the top of the league or in Dale’s case end up too close to the relegation area. Although Richmond have the squad to trouble most teams Wharfedale being used to fighting for their lives might just do it.
Blackheath at home to Tynedale are both on the back of 50 point losses and although both safe are not making inroads into the league. Dale with its increasing injury problems can’t relish the trip to London, with Blackheath a different prospect at home a home win is expected.
The final game sees Blaydon meet bottom side Macclesfield. Surely only a home win is expected with the home pack getting back to full strength and very close to toppling Richmond last Saturday after a second half revival. Already this league looks a step too far for Macclesfield and Blaydon should run out easy winners.
Coventry Rugby v Ealing Trailfinders match preview Saturday 29 November 2014.
This coming Saturday 29th November 2014 sees the crucial meeting between leaders Ealing Tfs and fourth placed Coventry Rugby, here at the Butts Park Arena, with kick off at 3 pm. Founded in 1869 two years before the RFU, until 1999 Ealing had a number of grounds until they moved to their present Trailfinders Sports Ground. A thriving mini-section followed them there and over the past seasons they have moved steadily through the leagues, being promoted to the Championship at the start of last season 2013/14.
A poor start to that season saw them in relegation trouble, and although rallying towards the end of the season it was too late, and they were relegated by just one point on the final day.
For the start of this season they have had installed a 3G/4G pitch which ties in with their future plans and prospects.
Ealing’s avowed aim is to get straight back to the Championship which has necessitated keeping a majority of full-time players. A large squad Ealing, have kept the majority of their backs but have corrected last years perceived weakness in the pack by recruiting most players either from the Welsh Regions or else with Championship or higher experience for the crucial pack improvements to go with a strengthening of their backs.
With a stronger pack than either last season or the previous season 2012/13 when in National League 1, Ealing are the only unbeaten side left in the league and have only dropped 3 try bonus points, although fair to say they have had some close shaves away, especially at Darlington MP and Wharfedale, in other games powerful second half performances has seen them through.
Playing a more pragmatic game than when last in National League 1 under new Director of Coaching/Rugby fly-half Ben Ward assisted by Forwards Coach Kieron Power, Ealing‘s 12 wins include last week’s home win over Fylde 56-17 and other away wins at Old Albanian, Richmond and Esher, Coventry Rugby will be their first test away against a top four side. These wins have kept Ealing Tfs top of the league also having the best points for and meanest defence in the league. They are not adverse to using kicks to gain territory then using the pack to more effect has seen Ealing go for more driving mauls and with scrum dominance gives them later chances in the game to use their offloading skills to run in backs tries. Having the meanest defence they can wait for their opponents errors and have the ability to counter attack from deep. Their trademark especially with Ben Ward playing is the chip over for winger Phil Chesters, the league’s leading try scorer on 14, so his contest with either Dom Lespierre or Will Hurrell will be worth the anticipation.
Some key players have been retained from last season with centres Tom Wheatcroft and Sam Wardingly, wingers Owen Bruynseels and Chris Kinlock who are all very difficult to stop. Experienced lock Steve Pape and hooker Andrei Radoi remain, as do the back rowers Sean O’Connell at No 8 and flanker Anders Nilsson.
A large number of new recruits have come in with a high proportion of them making the first team squad. Key amongst these has been former Welsh International back Will Harries from London Scottish whose running from deep from full-back or wing has caused havoc in most opponents, and earned him some excellent notices. Another Welsh recruit scrum-half Alex Walker from Cardiff Blues is a class act with his strong running and tackling. Two more recruits from London Scottish with full-back and goal-kicker James Love and centre player coach Andy Reay , together with former Nottingham fly-half Matt Jarvis and goal-kicker give plenty of cover.
Virtually a whole new pack has been recruited with Scottish providing prop James Kilbane, with other props Nathan Buck from Newport Gwent Dragons, Alex Penny from Henley Hawks, and Kevin Davis from London Welsh and Will Davis from Cinderford. New locks include Gary Johnson from Cornish Pirates, Michael Walker-Fitton from Doncaster, brothers Carwyn Jones and Llewelyn Jones from the Scarlets, and hooker Alun Walker from Nottingham. Very impressive back-row recruits are Arthur Ellis from Ospreys, Redford Pennycock from Bristol,Tom Brown from Jersey and Danny Kenny from Doncaster.
Four former Coventry players are in the squad with Tom Brown, Will Davis, Ignas Darkintis and Ronnie McLean-Dents although the last two have not featured recently.
Is there any clue as to previous meetings between the two clubs, well they have only met twice before in Season 2012/13 with Ealing doing the double over Coventry in their promotion year, namely winning 13-37 at the BPA and 41-17 at Vallis Way. A good test of how far Coventry Rugby has progressed in the past two seasons in what is expected to be the largest crowd of the season at the Butts Park Arena. Support of the Coventry public is a key factor to encourage the players in this vital game. Kick-off is as normal at 3 pm before a large crowd so please get there early .
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
24th November 2014.
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25/11/2014 18:32
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