Week 18 results

BirminghamSolihull     36         17   Wharfedale

Blackheath                     18         20   Cinderford

Coventry                        14         24   Sedgley Park

Ealing Tfs                      16         24  Jersey

Fylde                              31         21  Stourbridge

Macclesfield                  16         10   Blaydon

Rosslyn Park                  43         17 Cambridge

Tynedale                        26          17  Barking

As expected the form sides of the league, new leaders Rosslyn Park and 2nd placed Jersey both won, which coupled with Fylde’s win puts early trailblazers Ealing Tfs back in 4th place.

However surprises of Round 18 must go to the bottom club Birmingham Solihull beating Wharfedale at home, largely thanks to the return of Simon Hunt and Mark Woodrow, and Cinderford’s excellent away win at Blackheath, no doubt helped by new coach consultant Phil Vickery.

The relegation battle for 14th place is hotting up with losses by Coventry, Cambridge, Wharfedale and Blaydon, bringing them to just 3 bonus point wins ahead of Stourbridge on 30 points. There will be some nervous looking over shoulders as only 9 points now separate 8th from 13th place.

Week 19 fixtures 14th January with previews

Barking             v         Macclesfield

Blaydon             v       Coventry

Cambridge         v        Tynedale

Cinderford          v        Ealing Tfs

Jersey                  v       RosslynPark

SedgleyPark       v        Fylde

Stourbridge          v      BirminghamSolihull

Wharfedale           v      Blackheath

Game of the round must be the promotion clash between 2nd placed Jersey, at home to leaders Rosslyn Park, with both sides wanting to keep their unbeaten runs going. Jersey with home advantage must be slight favourites.

Ealing Tfs face a difficult away trip to Cinderford, buoyed by their success at Blackheath, and no doubt helped by the coaching skills of Phil Vickery, who are now finding some form to get away from the relegation zone.

The key game at the bottom of the league sees Stourbridge in 14th place, entertain bottom club Birmingham Solihull, buoyed by last weeks success over Wharfedale.

Blaydon wanting to escape from the wrong end of the table meet visiting Coventry, who need to reverse their run of 4 straight losses.

Another intriguing week of fixtures affecting both ends of the table.

Blaydon v Coventry rugby preview

Coventry Rugby make their long trek north to Crow Trees, Swalwell for a 2-15 pm kick off against Blaydon this Saturday 14th January.

Not only will Coventry be looking to avenge their high scoring draw at home 27-27, but urgently need  to reverse their dismal run of 4 successive defeats, which has seen them slump to their lowest position in the league of 9th place.

Blaydon, underDORMicky Ward and Coach Hall Charlton, are currently in 12th place, 6 points behind Coventry, but with a game in hand. Last season Blaydon finished in 10th place just two places and three points behindCoventry.

Another mixed season for Blaydon this year with only 6 wins, but these include a double over Cambridge and excellent home wins over Macclesfield and Fylde. They have also been able to pick up 13 bonus points suggesting that most of their losses have been close.

Blaydon have a strong pack with prop R Kalbraier, Chris Wearmouth at lock and Rob Bell in the back row. Andrew Baggett is in the league’s top ten goal kickers, and they have speedy wingers in Fraser Wilson and Simon Barker.

Another close and important game for both sides is in prospect as both Coventry and Blaydon fight to keep clear of the bottom 3 places.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

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