By Tom Little
April 28 2015

...Saturday 25th April 2015 including Rosslyn Park v Coventry Rugby with review of season 2014/15.

Results Saturday 25^th April 2015

Blackheath                                12        32          Fylde

Blaydon                                      33         6           Darlington Mowden Park

Cinderford                                 33        17          Esher

Loughborough Students           8         31          Ealing Trailfinders

Old Albanian                              50        29          Tynedale

Richmond                                   66        41          Macclesfield

Rosslyn Park                               45        50          Coventry Rugby

Wharfedale                                29          3           Hartpury College   

The final results are now in for has been one of the most closely fought title and relegation battle in the so-called League of Death. Some high scoring encounters with all ties proving at least one try bonus score.The final relegation place goes to Old Albanian, so commiserations to them and a well done to Cinderford. Champions Ealing Trailfinders will be promoted to the Championship, with Plymouth Albion taking their place in NL1 after being relegated.

Macclesfield, Tynedale and Old Albanian are relegated from NL1 being replaced by Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians, with the final place being decided after a playoff between Ampthill and Bishops Stortford.

Champions Ealing Trailfinders signed off in with a regulation win over Loughborough Students as they quickly recovered from an early set back. Five tries in total with 4 from their formidable pack proved the difference. A disappointing season for the second season running for the Students.

What was all good about NL1 this season manifested itself in a full bloodied encounter as a depleted Coventry Rugby squad had their first every recent league win away to Rosslyn Park. Coventry Rugby had an inspired first period with their fearsome offensive defence and turnovers gained  them 4 early tries. As expected the second half saw Park fight back with effective use of their driving maul and they finally overtook Coventry with 10 minutes to go. Those who have followed Coventry Rugby this season will know they never give up and a break by Scott Hamilton from his own 22 allowed Coventry to surge up field. More pressure then saw Will Hurrell surge over some despairing and tired bodies for the winning try. Who would like to bet against this being a dress rehearsal for next season’s title challenge?

The great fightback by Cinderford with 4 successive try bonus wins after seeming dead and buried at Christmas saw them defeat Esher and thus ensure their NL1 survival. With their try bonus already achieved in the first half a late Esher fightback was too little too late as Cinderford did enough to survive.

No such happy faces at Old Albanian as they did what they had to do to win over already relegated Tynedale but without Cinderford losing they are now relegated.

An ill disciplined Hartpury College were unable to hold onto 4^th place as they were well beaten by a Wharfedale side, who really need to play like this earlier in the season. With Dan Solomi in fine form the home pack were always in control.

Fylde were able to take full advantage of this slip up in their away victory at Blackheath. An even first half then saw the Fylde pack take control with 2 late tries sealing it for them and thus 4^th place.

Sixteen tries in total at Richmond as they defeated Macclesfield gave a hint as to what sort of game it was as both sides were unable to improve on their respective league positions.

The final game saw a feisty contest with Blaydon completing the double over league newcomers Darlington Mowden Park. Park have recently seen their good start to the league evaporate and Blaydon were able to be crowned north-east champions taking over 8^th place from their visitors.

Review of Season 2014/15

The following is a brief review of the final positions for all teams in National League 1.In addition a more detailed analysis will be provided on Coventry Rugby for the Season 2014/15, which will appear on the Coventry RFC official website and be available for the next Fans Forum at the Butts Park Arena, when the date is finally confirmed.

1. Ealing Trailfinders- promoted to the Championship living up to their pre-season favourite mantle. Not surprising with having a largely full-time squad. Only defeated 3 times and achieved the highest number of bonus points. Best attacking side with 1099 points and second best defensive record in league.

2. Rosslyn Park- pipped on the post for second season running but kept on the tails of Ealing until last 2 games of season, only 4 defeats but lack of bonus point probably cost them. Best defensive record in league. The only side to beat Ealing on their own patch. Despite Alex Codling leaving, Park are expected to make a strong challenge for the title next season.

3. Coventry Rugby- a record breaking season for Coventry Rugby with at least 15 record broken. The only side to beat both Ealing and Rosslyn Park and had second best attacking record with 1011 points. Seven losses and a draw coupled with some defensive frailties cost them league, but progression shows they will be a force next season.

4. Fylde- continued in their merry off-loading way to finish 4^th, but poor away form still holds them back from challenging for title. Whether Paul Arnold taking over as Head Coach from Mark Nelson , will lead to a more pragmatic approach  remains to be seen. It may depend on what ambitions Fylde have for the future.

5. Hartpury College- an excellent first appearance in this league, although not without controversy. A close link with Premiership side Gloucester and state of the art facilities plus a sprinkling of non- student players have caused ripples, what has been the effect on near neighbours Cinderford? Only one of two sides  to lower Coventry Rugby colours at the BPA.

6. Blackheath-could be formidable at home being only one of 4 sides to beat Rosslyn Park. Were close to beating Ealing away but like many sides this physical encounter affected their later form dropping down from top 4 to 6^th place. Some progession from last season, but needs to improve pack.

7. Richmond- An experienced side who did not fully live up to expectations. Capable of punching above weight but not consistent enough. Finished same position as last season.

8. Blaydon- overall a disappointing season falling to 8^th from 6^th place last season, yet a very settled side with some input from Newcastle Falcons, it could be the standard and quality of this league is improving elsewhere rather than the north-east. Interesting to see if the Falcons relationship with Darlington Mowden Park ,might affect them.

9. Darlington Mowden Park- An excellent first season in NL1 although results have recently seen them slip into bottom half. Matters not helped by a 5 point deduction. Have future ambitions to be at least a Championship side and have ground to suit.

10. Esher-Overall a disappointing season after being 5th last season. The loss of key players were not fully replaced, and results were very inconsistent but they did beat Coventry Rugby at home. They are always capable of scoring tries though with a winger such as Spencer Sutherland.

11. Wharfedale – May have a pretty ground but another inconsistent season enlivened by beating Hartpury College on Saturday. Much better home form than away, competitive against Ealing and Coventry, perhaps the M6/M1 takes its toll. Always manages to escape relegation fever by end of season.

12. Loughborough Students-for the second season running finished 12th,only just above the relegation zone. Unlike Hartpury College the high turnover of players and very few outside of campus players affect their position.Excellent reputation for moving players onto to semi or professional contracts.

13. Cinderford- a poor start to season saw them languishing in relegation zone until the last few games. The deduction of 5 points from Old Albanian gave them renewed hope and just survived relegation on last day of season. What the impact of the promotion of Hartpury College had on their connection with Premiership Gloucester Rugby is open to interpretation.

14. Old Albanian- relegated largely due to 5 point deduction over player registration-a costly mistake. Never really recovered from the loss of their iconic coach to Plymouth Albion before the start of the season. Their close links with Saracens did not save them, although their recent form has been impressive but so was Cinderford.

15. Tynedale- relegated after finishing 13th last season. Some heavy losses with Tynedale pointing out to severe injury problems as well as sudden recall of dr players back to Newcastle Falcons. Perhaps a lesson not to rely too much on dr players, unless it can be for a season loan.

16. Macclesfield- relegated after just one season, not really a surprise as they had to rely largely on existing squad. They did get better as the season progressed but not enough to get enough wins, although were always capable of scoring tries.

Conclusion

If supporters and players alike want an exciting league with tries aplenty but also a hard physical presence then this is the league to watch and be in. Not without reason is it called the League of Death with only one team promoted yet three relegated. A league of shattered dreams and ambitions, but also one of increasing standards season on season.

Now the usual disclaimer-the above remarks do not necessarily reflect the views of Coventry Rugby club.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

27^th April 2015.

Week 30 national league 1 results round up...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 28/04/2015 07:01

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28/04/2015 07:01

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