By Tom Little
February 2 2015

...Saturday 31st January 2015 including Richmond v Coventry Rugby.

Fixtures Saturday 31^st January 2015.

Blaydon                         27         23           Loughborough Students

Cinderford                    14         17           Blackheath

Esher                             58         20           Tynedale

Hartpury College         34        19            Darlington Mowden Park

Macclesfield              postponed            Ealing Trailfinders

Old Albanian                25         15           Fylde

Richmond                     28         28           Coventry Rugby

Wharfedale                  12         17            Rosslyn Park 

An exciting Saturday of results, somewhat affected by the weather and heavy pitches. The postponement of the Ealing match gave the chance for Coventry Rugby and Rosslyn Park to take advantage, but both sides were unable to fully profit. Results leave only a gap of 6 points between leaders Ealing and third placed Park, but Ealing have a game in hand.

The bottom end of the league saw further losses by Tynedale, Cinderford, Loughborough Students and Wharfedale but an excellent win by Old Albanians, which still leaves these 5 sides trying to avoid the last 2 relegation places.

It was an exciting, full bloodied and absorbing game at the RAG, before a large vociferous Coventry away crowd as two well matched teams, Richmond and Coventry Rugby fought out a draw. Difficult pitch conditions and a biting wind didn’t help matters as the game ebbed and flowed with both sides having the ascendancy at various times. Richmond had done their homework well, having both a strong offensive and defensive blanket defence, helped by some poor decision making and errors by Coventry. In the end probably a fair result but the 2 points Coventry Rugby gained will be a disappointment, especially as they can play a lot better. Whether the visiting Ealing coaches took anything from this game remains to be seen.

Another close game saw Rosslyn Park struggle to overcome a resilient Wharfedale side, in very similar conditions to two weeks ago when Dale faced Coventry. A narrow half-time lead to Park was defended well for the whole of the second half as Rosslyn Park soaked up all the pressure the home side could bring for a 4 point win. Once again no bonus point but the win brings Park with 2 points of Coventry and 4 from Ealing. This loss by Wharfedale keeps them within two losses from the danger zone.

It was a scrappy affair in the Forest as Blackheath held out in a torrid second half after leading 10 nil at half-time over Cinderford. A late penalty try gave the home side some hope but Blackheath held on to see them take over 4^th place from Fylde. Meanwhile Cinderford drop back into the third relegation spot but still only 1 point from safety.

Not even a losing bonus point for Tynedale as they slumped again to a heavy defeat, this time at Esher. The home side themselves have recently been off form and it seemed more of the same as they trailed 19-20 at half-time, but it was a different matter after the break as with the wind Esher took control led by a hat-trick by winger Spencer Sutherland as they ran riot. A win that sets them up, for their visit to Ealing next week. This loss leaves Tynedale in 15^th place and 5 points from safety but showing the worst form of all the bottom 6 sides.

Old Albanian finally got their act together and moved out of the relegation zone with a justified win over a fading Fylde side. The win was a welcome relief to a side who has played well against the top sides without any reward. Although still far from safe they should have the confidence to pull away from the danger zone.

Blaydon also eased their relegation fears with a bonus point victory over fellow strugglers Loughborough Students. Not for the first time this season it was the power of the home pack that provided the catalyst with the Students not really having an effective answer or cutting edge. A win that leaves Blaydon 12 points ahead of danger so should be safe, but still leaves the Students in 12^th place but only 7 points from the relegation zone.

Finally two of the form sides Hartpury College and Darlington Mowden Park met with Hartpury scoring 4 first half tries led with a brace from teenage sensation full-back Matt Protheroe. Credit to Park as they fought back in the second half with 3 tries of their own but it was always too little too late as the visitors faded later on in the game.A win that leaves Hartpury College in 6^th place, but steadily catching up with Fylde in 5^thplace.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

1^st February 2015.

Week 21 national league 1 results round up...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 02/02/2015 18:02

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
02/02/2015 18:02

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