Coventry
Week 7 - round 7 national league 1 previews...
By Tom Little.
October 12 2015
...Saturday 17th October 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Fylde.
Week 7 Fixtures 10th October 2015.
Blackheath v Wharfedale
Blaydon v Plymouth Albion
Cinderford v Richmond
Coventry Rugby v Fylde
Darlington Mowden Park v Loughborough Students
Esher v Hull Ionians
Henley Hawks v Hartpury College
Rosslyn Park v Ampthill & District
Leaders Hartpury College are looking for their 6th consecutive win travel to league newcomers Henley Hawks. A difficult match to predict as after a sticky start Henley Hawks seemed to have settled in, even drawing at Ampthill. Yet a win for Hartpury could consolidate their lead.
There is an interesting contest between Rosslyn Park and second placed Ampthill. Two successive losses by Park have somewhat shocked the pre-season favourites, and in facing league newcomers Ampthill they face their hardest test of the season also wishing to avoid losing 3 games in a row. Likewise Ampthill will be looking to avoid their second consecutive loss, but Park should be too strong at home to slip up again.
Third placed Blackheath on a run of 5 consecutive wins have Wharfedale as their visitors. On the face of it Blackheath should have little trouble at home, but on their day Wharfedale can be a match for most teams, as DMP found out on Saturday. However Wharfedale don’t always travel well so Blackheath can expect to consolidate their position near the top of the league.
Esher, now up to 4th place and buoyant after their large win at Plymouth Albionhave Hull Ionians visiting them. Hull have settled well into this league winning 3 and losing 3 games but are always competitive especially in their forwards having gained 5 bonus points. Esher won’t have it all their own way but at home should just be strong enough.
Coventry Rugby meet Fylde at the BPA looking for their third consecutive win, whilst Fylde will be looking to build on their impressive victory over Rosslyn Park. By a strange coincidence both sides lost 2 players simultaneously to yellow cards in the first half last Saturday, yet both managed to win. A full preview of this game will follow.
Cinderford have had a poor start to the season with only one win and even at home have struggled. This week they have Richmond as their visitors. Richmond although not at their best last week managed to beat Blaydon, which has put them in the top 6.They should have enough overall quality to win this one.
Bottom of the league Blaydon, still with only one win play Plymouth Albion in the north-east. Evidently Blaydon were much improved against Richmond, and at home they do have a chance to beat Albion, who are starting to see how difficult this league is when you have to start it with a new squad. A must win for the home side.
An out of sorts Darlington Mowden Park have a chance to get their second win of the season as another struggling side Loughborough Students visit them. Park have found it a difficult season so far not helped by playing mainly away but should be strong enough to get their season back on track, a loss for the Students could see them drop into the relegation zone.
COVENTRY RUGBY V FYLDE MATCH PREVIEW SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER
This coming Saturday 17th October at the Butts Park Arena sees Coventry Rugby meet Fylde in their NL1 fixture, please note the earlier than normal kick off time of 2.15pm.
Fylde based on the north-west coast were founded in 1919, and since that time have maintained close connections with the Lancashire County side with many players representing both sides.
The previous two seasons under Head Coach Mark Nelson Fylde finished 3rd and 4th in the league. Last season they finished one place but 15 points behind Coventry Rugby. Last season results went to the home side with Coventry winning 62-31 at the BPA and then losing 44-28 at the Woodlands. Currently under new Head Coach and player Paul Arnold they lie in 10th place with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. Paul is assisted by Warren Spragg backs coach, Alex Loney forwards coach and coach Stephen Briers.
This season Fylde have beaten Loughborough Students at home, and in somewhat of a surprise result last Saturday another home win this time over pre-season favourites Rosslyn Park 36-20. A touch of irony about this win by Fylde, as with Coventry Rugby saw both sides lose 2 players to yellow cards-hopefully this will not be a portent for Saturday. Yet this season Fylde have lost both other home matches to Hull Ionians and Richmond, both by last minute scores, whilst in their only two away matches have lost to Hartpury College and narrowly at Plymouth Albion.
Renowned for playing a fast expansive off-loading game Fylde has found this style well contained by some of their opponents this season. A more pragmatic approach last week against Rosslyn Park saw them cruise home with 3 second half tries.
A feature of the Fylde side is that there are comparatively few changes in the squad from one season to another. However a number of new recruits have appeared this season of which the following have made it to the first team. Preston Grasshoppers have provided 3 players in Dominic Moon-flanker, Lewis Allen-wing or full-back, and Phil Mills at hooker. In addition a young lock or backrower Todd Prisk and England U20’s player has come in from Redruth and appears to be making a name for himself.
Many of the old stalwarts remain in the side with wingers Jordan Dorrington and Oli Brennand all capable of running in from deep, with experienced centres Warren Spragg, Scott Rawlings and captain Chris Briers.
In half-backs Chris Johnson they have a leading goal-kicker at fly-half, with scrum-halfs Greg Nicholls and Ryan de la Harpe, and new centre Ralph Dowds.
The forwards likewise have a great deal of experience with even Head Coach Paul Arnold lending a hand at lock with fellow lock Gareth Gore. Prop forwards Adam Lewis, Dan Birchall Tom Lavelle and Simon Griffiths add some mobility and experience assisted by hookers Ollie Trippier and Tom Burtonwood.
A very effective back- row, especially if the game opens up and gets loose is made up of Evan Stewart back after a lengthy break, Gareth Rawlings and hooker cum flanker Danny Maher. Strength in depth and experience at this crucial position also sees Dave Fairbrother, Mark Goodman, Ben Vernon and Joe Robinson competing for the positions.
Coventry Rugby will be looking for their third win in a row to maintain pressure on the top 4, whilst Fylde after a shaky start proved their credentials with an overwhelming victory over Rosslyn Park, will want to move up the table. This season has already shown some surprises and teams will be have to on top of their game to win.
Another large crowd is expected as these two old rivals meet. Supporters should note the earlier kick off time than normal at 2.15pm this Saturday.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
12th October 2015.
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12/10/2015 20:46
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Hartpury lose,
Blackheath lose,
Esher lose
Amthill lose... we will be top of the league again!!! :-)
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