By Tom Little.
December 21 2015

...Saturday 19th December 2015 including   Ampthill & District v Coventry Rugby together with half-season review.

Results Week 15 Saturday 19th December 2015.

Ampthill & District                       31        25               Coventry Rugby

Blackheath                                    28         21              Esher

Darlington Mowden Park           51         11              Blaydon

Hartpury College                          10         14              Plymouth Albion

Henley Hawks                               27         13              Cinderford

Loughborough Students             28         24              Hull Ionians

Rosslyn Park                                  24         33             Richmond

Wharfedale                                   28         32             Fylde

The half-way stage in the season saw a number of close games especially at the top of the league, with the league’s highest crowd of the season at Rosslyn Park. Darlington Mowden Park had the highest victory over Blaydon, whilst only Henley Hawks of the bottom 4 sides managed to win.

It was fitting that the highest gate of the season of over 1600 was at the Rock, as leaders Richmond maintained their lead with a hard fought win over Rosslyn Park. A game that ebbed and flowed with the lead changing hands many times before a late try and a Rob Kirby conversion and an even later Kirby penalty sealed it for the leaders. The win keeps Richmond 3 points clear of Blackheath, and possibly leaves Park too much to do to catch up.

It was another close fought contest the other side of London as 2nd placed Blackheath eked out a victory over Esher. This week it was Blackheath who were able to take advantage of 2 yellow cards against Esher, allowing them to score 2 tries, a lead they never lost. Their margin behind Richmond was maintained despite not gaining a bonus point and they are now 1 point ahead of Hartpury College.

Hartpury College were unable to take advantage of the lack of bonus points by both Richmond and Blackheath, as they were surprisingly beaten at home by Plymouth Albion. Another close encounter saw a fast improving Albion side prove the better in ending Hartpury’s home record. A late try gave a closer look to the score than was warranted but with confidence growing in the Albion game they are now up to 6th place just one win behind 4th placed Esher. The losing bonus point gained by Hartpury keeps them within 4 points of the lead.

Another losing bonus point was scant reward for a Coventry Rugby side visiting Ampthill & District for the first time. Another close game saw the lead change a number of times, and when Coventry went ahead in the final quarter it looked all over for the home side. However 2 late penalties sealed it for Ampthill and despite a brave attempt Coventry just failed. This is the third game running that Coventry have been unable to turn a final quarter lead into a win. This loss drops Coventry to 10th place their lowest position for 2 seasons.

Darlington Mowden Park continued their fine form with the largest win of the day this time at home against northern rivals Blaydon, before another excellent crowd of over 4 figures. Park ran riot in the 2nd half with 6 further tries helped with a hat-trick by winger Jake Henry. A win that takes Park up to 8th place, but  keeps Blaydon on 22 points equal with  Henley in the relegation zone. Worrying times indeed , for the far north.

It was a far closer game in the north-west as Wharfedale lost again this time to Fylde, whose erratic form continues. As the Fylde forwards took control helping to reverse an early 12 points deficit the game seemed lost for the home side until a late try gave Wharfedale 2 bonus points, which may prove invaluable at end of season. A loss that still leaves Dale in relegation trouble  but now only one point from safety.

Loughborough Students eased any relegation troubles with another hard fought victory over a Hull Ionians side, recently incapable of winning but able to pick up losing bonus points. Another game with the lead changing hands and when Hull Ionians were awarded a late penalty try it seemed all over, but the Students were not to be denied and a last gaps try and conversion gave them the win, which moves them 7 points clear of the relegation zone, just 2 points behind their visitors.

The final game saw the basement clash between Henley Hawks and Cinderford go to a bonus point victory to the home side. A close fought battle in the 1st half saw a try a piece before Henley went ahead in the 2nd half. Despite plenty of possession good home defence kept them out and with the home back row in fine form a late try settled the game. This loss moves Cinderford down to last place but although keeping Henley in the third relegation place, they are now only 1 point from safety.

HALF-SEASON REVIEW NATIONAL LEAGUE 1, NL 2 NORTH, NL 2 SOUTH AND CHAMPIONSHIP.

National League 1- The top three sides Richmond, Blackheath and Hartpury College are separated by just 4 points with them all capable of beating each other.

Ten points behind the leaders Richmond are a further 4 clubs Esher, Rosslyn Park, Plymouth Albion and Ampthill & District separated by just 5 points. Any of these sides are capable of putting pressure on those above them if any of the top three start slipping up.

It is equally close at the bottom of the league with 3 sides to be relegated. Currently Cinderford are at the bottom on 18 points, with Wharfedale  on 21 points and Henley Hawks on 22 points, the same as Blaydon who are in 13th place. On the face of it, it looks as though relegation will be between these 4 sides, although Loughborough Students and Hull Ionians are still not safe on 29 and 31 points respectively.

National League 2 North- The Champions of the league will be promoted to NL1, with the runners up involved in a pay-off with the runners up of NL2 South. Currently Macclesfield are clear at the top of the league on 64 points, no less than 12 points ahead of Sedgley Park, who are a further 5 points ahead of Stourbridge.  On the face of it Macclesfield are firm favourites to join NL1, or should it be re-join.

National League 2 South-  However, it is a much closer race in the South division with leaders Cambridge and Old Albanian locked on the same number of points 67 and 9 points ahead of Taunton Titans. Both top 2 sides have recent experience of NL1 so difficult to say who is favourite .

Championship- Despite part of the Championship season having been interrupted by the British and Irish Cup, for relegation purposes this is still a half-season review, with only one team being promoted from NL1 to the Championship, likewise only one team will be relegated. No play-offs for the relegation spot-solely the one side at the bottom  of the Championship at the end of the season.

After 11 games played bottom place is taken by Ealing Tfs on 14 points, with Moseley on 17 points and Cornish Pirates on 21 and the 2 exile teams Welsh on 23 and Scottish on 24. It does look like Ealing will be favourites to make a swift return to NL1. There is however talk of both exile sides Welsh and Scottish of wanting to play in the Pro 12 instead of the Championship. Whether this would be allowed and its impact on the league has yet to be resolved.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

21st December 2015.

National league 1 results round up week 15 - round 15...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 21/12/2015 14:30

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
21/12/2015 14:30

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