By Tom Little
February 17 2015

...Saturday 21st February 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Hartpury College.  

Fixtures Saturday 21^st February 2015

Blackheath                                  v              Esher

Blaydon                                        v              Wharfedale

Coventry Rugby                          v              Hartpury College

Ealing Trailfinders                      v             Darlington Mowden Park

Fylde                                             v            Tynedale

Loughborough Students            v           Richmond

Old Albanian                                v           Cinderford

Rosslyn Park                                 v           Macclesfield

Week 24 sees the turn of the top three to all play at home with second placed Rosslyn Park having the easier of the three fixtures.

The key battle at the other end of the table sees Old Albanian needing to beat Cinderford to remain out of the bottom three.

Leaders Ealing Trailfinders entertain league newcomers Darlington Mowden Park, both of whom ironically have been involved in an exchange of front row players. Park are finally showing some winning form and are now up to 8^th place. The visitors pack need to have at least parity to give their improving backs a chance, but Ealing on their own patch should be overall too strong.

Rosslyn Park after crushing Richmond last Friday have a much easier task in meeting bottom side Macclesfield. Despite much improved performances Macclesfield are still finding it a step too far this season and Park should run out comfortable winners.

A stuttering Coventry Rugby now without the burden of a long unbeaten run, face a Hartpury College side who surprisingly were well beaten by Ealing last week. Coventry showed enough positive signs even in defeat last week to maintain their excellent home form and keep pressure on the two teams above them. A full preview of this game will follow.

Last week’s win by Cinderford  has given them a lifeline to escape relegation but now have to carry on as they travel to Old Albanian who are only 2 points ahead of them. With both sides running out of games to escape the danger area this is a crucial contest for both sides. The home side will be slight favourites but both sides are capable of winning this one. Might be down to who can keep their nerve the best.

Fylde, at last back to winning ways entertain a Tynedale side on a horrendous losing run of 13 games. Dale are now 9 points from safety and another loss here will surely seal their fate. Fylde should be strong enough at home especially with the impressive form of winger Oli Brennand who is always capable to being the catalyst. A home win might see them overtake Blackheath in 5^th place.

Hoping that this won’t happen is Blackheath who have Esher as their visitors. A few weeks ago this would have seen a foregone conclusion with Blackheath firm favourites. However Esher’s recent performances against Ealing and beating Coventry have given them renewed confidence. However at home, Blackheath will still be slight favourites.

Loughborough Students and Richmond both meet after suffering disappointing defeats last weekend. Richmond, especially were torn apart by Rosslyn Park and will not relish their trip to the East Midlands. The Students are now too close to the relegation area for comfort, need this win to take the pressure off. Another close game is expected with the Students greater need proving decisive.

The final game sees the northern derby between Blaydon and Wharfedale. Although both not mathematically safe from relegation a win would ease any lingering worries. Blaydon at home should have just enough power up front to win a close encounter, but Wharfedale have been playing better recently and cannot be written off.

Coventry Rugby v Hartpury College match preview Saturday 21^st February 2015.

This coming Saturday at the Butts Park Arena, with kick off as usual at 3 pm sees Coventry Rugby meet league newcomers, Hartpury College. This will be the first ever home fixture for Coventry Rugby against Hartpury College. Both sides saw their long unbeaten records come to an end last Saturday with both sides not at their best.

A key game for Coventry Rugby as they need to keep pressure on those two teams just above them. Coventry Rugby have the added incentive of breaking a series of their National League 1 records with a home win including a, highest number of league wins b, highest number of league match points and c, lowest number of games lost, with still 6 games to go.

Hartpury College was initially an Agricultural College on the outskirts of Gloucester which expanded into elite sport including rugby in 2000. Hartpury RFC was formed in 2004 and since that time has steadily moved through the leagues arriving in National League 1 this season.

Boasting a series of pitches including a 3G one they are also host to Gloucester Rugby Premiership side for training and a number of dual registered players are attached to the College from Gloucester. Under Director of Rugby Alan Martinovoc, with Head Coach John Barnes and coaches Mark Cornwell and Chris Fortey, Hartpury College have made an excellent start to their first season, with 14 wins and 9 losses and are currently in 6^th place with 66 match points.

Strangely their away record has been better than their home with no less than 8 wins and only 3 losses compared with 6 home wins and 6 home losses. They have has some interesting away victories including  Darlington Mowden Park, Blaydon, Richmond, Fylde and even Esher. A warning indeed for Coventry Rugby not to take them too lightly as indeed Coventry found them a tough nut to crack earlier in the season only winning 23-21 thanks to Cliffie Hodgson’s penalties.

They have only lost 3 games away to Ealing Trailfinders, Loughborough Students and Blackheath.

We have already mentioned the connection with Gloucester premiership Rugby with a number of dr players including No7/8 Dan Thomas. In addition more experienced campaigners are on the books including player coach Chris Fortey, prop Mark Irish from  London Scottish and Tim Brockett from Ealing.

Key players retained from last season include Gareth Thompson either no 10 or full-back an accomplished goal-kicker and impressive wingers Jaike Carter and Stef Reynolds. A mobile pack also includes Chris Ludlow at No 8 and locks Rob Fuller from Bournemouth and Joe Batley and props Will Tanner , Des Merrey and Wayne Thompson.

A very accomplished set of backs include winger Alex O’Meara, Ruaridh McConnochie at full-back and pocket battleship Matt Protheroe earning rave reviews either at full-back or fly-half. Centres include Steve Leonard from Clifton and Craig Jackson, with Mitch Burton also capable at No 10.

With both sides needing to get back to winning ways this should be an exciting battle of two adventurous sides with the possibility of mouth- watering  personal duels between both sets of impressive wingers.

Coventry Rugby almost found to their cost, when they last met that the College are capable of running in tries from deep so errors have to be kept to a minimum or they will be severely punished. Coventry Rugby will have learnt from their mistakes from the last game that chances have to be taken when they occur. Another large BPA crowd is expected for the usual kick off time of 3pm.

Tom little

Coventry Rugby press office

17^th February 2015.

Week 24 national league 1 previews...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 17/02/2015 20:13

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
17/02/2015 20:13

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