By Tom Little
September 23 2015

...Saturday 26th September 2015 including Richmond  v Coventry Rugby.  

Week  4 Fixtures Saturday 26th September.

Ampthill & District                 v      Henley Hawks

Blackheath                              v      Darlington Mowden Park

Hartpury College                   v      Esher

Hull Ionians                            v      Rosslyn Park

Loughborough Students      v      Blaydon

Plymouth Albion                   v      Fylde

Richmond                              v       Coventry Rugby

Wharfedale                           v       Cinderford     

Ampthill & District will be looking for their 4th consecutive bonus point victory as they entertain a struggling Henley Hawks side reflecting after a large home defeat to Blackheath.  The vastly experienced home pack should be far too strong for the other league newcomers with Ampthill expected to maintain their lead at the top of the league.

Hoping for any slip ups will be unbeaten Rosslyn Park, but they face a potential banana skin as they travel to Hull Ionians. The home side surprised many with their win over Plymouth Albion, and this is a game that Park cannot take for granted. With Hull Ionians settling well into this league another surprise might just be on the cards.

Coventry Rugby will be looking to put behind them a disappointing display against Hartpury College as they travel to one of their old rivals Richmond. Not only do Coventry have a point to prove but also to avenge last season’s draw at Richmond which ended their winning run. A full preview of this game will follow.

Hartpury College will be looking for their third consecutive win as Esher are their visitors. Esher had a fairly easy win over Loughborough last Saturday but will find Hartpury College a much tougher opponent as Coventry found out. Hartpury should win this one and will go on to cause a few more surprises this season.

Another side finding some form Blackheath , have Darlington Mowden Park as their visitors. Somewhat of an erratic start for Park has dented their ambitions but they do have the ability to cause an upset. However with Blackheath finally living up to their quality a close home win is expected.

Fylde  another side struggling to find consistency travel to Plymouth Albion. Albion have had three very close games so far and at home should be favourites for this one, as Fylde despite having a settled side are finding it difficult to maintain last season’s form. Another confidence boosting Albion win is on the cards.

Wharfedale who surprised many with their comprehensive win at Blaydon has a chance to transfer that superiority back home as Cinderford are their visitors. Winless Cinderford put up a much better display last week against Ampthill fighting back to lead until a late penalty gave the game away. A game that Wharfedale will take too lightly at their peril with Cinderford fighting for survival. Home advantage should just pay off.

Finally another winless side Loughborough Students have Blaydon as their visitors. Both sides have had a rocky start to the season. Blaydon come off the back of a dispiriting home loss to Wharfedale but if they can get their pack on top should give the Students a close fight. In the end home advantage might just count.        

RICHMOND V COVENTRY RUGBY MATCH PREVIEW SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2015                   

This coming Saturday 26th September Coventry Rugby travel to the Richmond Athletic Ground to face one of their traditional rivals Richmond, for a 3pm kick.Founded in 1861 Richmond became one of the founder members of the RFU in 1871.

Under longstanding Director of Rugby Steve Hill the last two seasons have seen Richmond finish in 7th place.

This season an opening day defeat at Plymouth Albion was followed by a close home win over league newcomers Hull Ionians, and last Saturday, an encouraging away win at Fylde, although they did let Fylde back into the game until  a late penalty sealed it for them.  Over the past few seasons Richmond’s squad has remained fairly consistent but pre-season there seems to have been a strengthening with players coming in from other NL1 London clubs, as well as from the north-east. A good working relationship has been maintained with Harlequins Academy with a number of dr players made available.                                                                                 

Richmond always provide Coventry Rugby  with close contest, especially at home, last season despite losing 48-27 at the BPA, they drew the home fixture  at 28 all, thus stopping Coventry Rugby’s winning run. Last season Richmond had a better home record than away and always seem able to put in a battling performance when they meet Coventry.

Key new recruits for Richmond include amongst the backs are centre Cameron Mitchell from DMP, and two well known to Coventry Rugby, winger Charlie Broughton from Rosslyn Park and centre Ronnie McLean-Dents from Ealing Tfs .Quins have provided dr prop Seb Adeniran-Olule and scrum-half Sam Stuart, who is getting rave reviews.

Flanker Jack Allcock is another that has come from DMP and fly-half Chris Reakes from Hull Ionians.  Cover in the front row has been enhanced with hooker Ross Grimstone from Dorking , former Blackheath prop Stefan North  and other front rowers such as Gino Corradi, Alex Wood and Caldon Pike.       

Captain and lock Will Warden remains as does experienced backs such as winger Will Browne, centre Rory Damant, scrum-half James Gibbs and game changing full-back and goal-kicker Rob Kirby.

An impressive back-row remains including centurion Chris Davies, Tom Sargeant and Ben Lonergen putting in some MOM performances.  

Coventry Rugby need to put behind them the disappointment of their display in losing to Hartpury College in a game they know from past experience they cannot take for granted.

For Coventry Rugby supporters who are travelling to the game please note that due to the World Cup game later that evening at Twickenham, there are certain road closures, restricted parking and public transport changes. Best to check with Richmond RFC and TfL before travelling.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

23rd September 2015.

Week 4 - round 4 national league 1 previews...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 23/09/2015 16:25

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23/09/2015 16:25

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