By Steve Kimberley
October 21 2023

Week One of the Championship season proper came and went without a sniff of Coventry Rugby.

Unless, of course, you count the team's trip, complete with a truckload of grub, to Jersey for a bit of fun and team-bonding.

Notwithstanding that, the remaining sides in the division locked horns for the first time this term with results going pretty much with the form book - or the anticipated form book at least.

The top of the table spot, momentarily occupied by Nottingham while other results waited to be declared, became - surprise, surprise - Ealing's.

The perennial nearly-theres overcame a spirited Bedford effort, pulling away in the second half for a 41-21 five-pointer in front of the biggest crowd of the day of 2380 spectators at Goldington Road.

One feels that Cov will want to top that next weekend. And should do so.

The weekend's fixtures actually started on Friday evening with a game between Cornish Pirates and London Scottish, with the home side prevailing in a 21-0 win resulting in no bonus being gained by either side in front of just 1143 souls.

Another of the sides fancied for a top-end finish, Doncaster, scraped home, at home, against Hartpury by dint of a drop goal from fly-half Olver which saw them take the spoils by 20 points to 18 for a 4-1 match result, before a decent crowd of 2056.

Similarly, Ampthill overcame new boys Cambridge by a two point margin, 28-26, with only the thickness of the Dillingham Park's upright preventing a Blood and Sand conversion attempt securing a share of the points, instead they had to settle for two bonus points to Amps' five. A disappointing crowd of only 708 made the trip.

 Finally, as mentioned before, Nottingham briefly took the glory of top spot on the first (almost) full day of hostilities with the thick end of a high-scoring (31-44) game at Caldy in front of 1278 on the Wirral (1-5 on league points).

So, the first league table of the season looks something like this:

Ealing. Played 1, points 5

Nottingham. 1, 5.

Ampthill. 1, 5

Cornish P. 1, 4

Doncaster. 1, 4

Cambridge. 1, 2

Hartpury. 1, 1

Caldy. 1, 1

Coventry. 0, 0

Bedford. 1, 0

L. Scottish. 1, 0

Cov fans will be hoping for a move in the right direction at the weekend!

Week One. Without us.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 22/10/2023 15:32

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
22/10/2023 15:32

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:01:17:42:31 by Kimbo.

Reply Quote Report

Old Faithful
22/10/2023 18:54

Thanks for that super post Steve. It's great to see the attendances.
Will this be a weekly post? (cheeky!)

Reply Quote Report

Kimbo
22/10/2023 20:33

Quote:

Old Faithful
Thanks for that super post Steve. It's great to see the attendances.
Will this be a weekly post? (cheeky!)

Maybe...

Reply Quote Report

PaulRossborough
29/10/2023 08:09

That seems very low for Bedford, with Ealing coming to town.

All views expressed in this post, are my own

Reply Quote Report

Kimbo
29/10/2023 10:27

It's what Bedford reported on their website.
Let's face it, Ealing don't travel with many.

Reply Quote Report

OldNick
30/10/2023 12:36

Quote:

Kimbo
It's what Bedford reported on their website.
Let's face it, Ealing don't travel with many.

Let's face it, Ealing don't play at home with many.

Reply Quote Report

Egg Timer
30/10/2023 12:40

Quote:

OldNick

Quote:

Kimbo
It's what Bedford reported on their website.
Let's face it, Ealing don't travel with many.

Let's face it, Ealing don't play at home with many.

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