By Tom Little
October 5 2015

...Saturday 3rd October 2015 results round up including Coventry Rugby v Plymouth Albion.

Results Week 5 Saturday 3rd October

Ampthill & District                 32              20            Darlington Mowden Park

Blaydon                                    22              28           Hartpury College

Cinderford                                 9               16          Loughborough Students

Coventry Rugby                       26              19          Plymouth Albion

Esher                                         41              34          Richmond

Fylde                                          35             38          Hull Ionians

Henley Hawks                           39            13          Wharfedale

Rosslyn Park                              18            31          Blackheath

Four intriguing away results for Week 5 including the crucial one with pre-season favourites Rosslyn Park losing their unbeaten record, a defeat that brings no less than 8 teams all within 7 points at the top half of the league, with the bottom 8 all within 6 points of each other. The only side still unbeaten is league newcomers Ampthill but with so many teams involved in the top half it only needs a winning run to propel a team to the top.

Ampthill go on their merry unbeaten way with another bp win, this time over Darlington Mowden Park, taking them to the top of the league. Once again the home pack gave the team a platform to score the tries, and despite a brave rear-guard action by Park they were well beaten. How long Ampthill will be able to keep this form up remains to be seen. The loss drops Darlington into 15th spot.

Another team confounding the pundits is Hartpury College who scored another away win this time over a Blaydon side still with only one win and with the worst attacking record in the league. Once again the goal-kicking of Gareth Thompson proved decisive as the Students were able to cope with the home pack. The win puts Hartpury up to 2nd place but leaves Blaydon in bottom place.

The shock of the day but not to “club” supporters was the home defeat of Rosslyn Park by London neighbours Blackheath. It was a meeting of the best attack against the best defence with Blackheath coming out on top. Always more hungry for the ball and the pack largely on top it was Blackheath who inflicted the season’s first defeat on Park which put Blackheath into 3rd place at their expense.

Fylde’s poor start to the season continued as they lost for the 4th time this season to visitors Hull Ionians. Despite leading 25-10 at half-time the home side were under pressure from Ionians who used their rolling maul to great effect and overcame the deficit in the last minutes with a hat-trick by flanker Will Foden. Hull Ionians played to their strengths the win taking them into 5th spot, what a change from last time when they were in this league.

Coventry Rugby had a hard earned victory over a visiting Plymouth Albion side, before the largest NL1 gate of the day. Coventry started the game at break net speed and soon raced into a lead but two dropped passes gave Albion hope, with them equalising in the second half. For the second game running a yellow card cost Coventry dear as they shipped in two tries. However Coventry Rugby dug in and pressurised Albion in the last quarter before an excellent running line from Jacque le Roux gave them the winning score, keeping Coventry in 6th place.

The London derby between Esher and Richmond saw a high scoring match, with Richmond having a slight advantage in the first half. However Esher had the better third quarter taking a lead before Richmond fought back with 2 late tries giving them two bp. Both sides are still looking for a winning run to move up the table.

Henley Hawks maintained their better performance with a large win over Wharfedale. Yet it was only a narrow lead at half-time before the home pack took control giving them another 3 tries in the second half. This win takes Henley up to 9th place but leaves Wharfedale in 13th place.

The final game saw Cinderford slump to a home defeat to Loughborough Students. A disappointing home performance saw the Students in first half control although they were unable to take full advantage of their possession. A more even 2nd half saw tit for tit exchange of penalties as all the home side could garner was a losing bonus point. The loss still leaves Cinderford in the final relegation place but lifts the Students up to 11th.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

5th October 2015.

National league 1 week 5 - round 5...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 05/10/2015 19:29

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
05/10/2015 19:29

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net