By Tom Little.
April 16 2012

previews including Coventry Rugby v Jersey.

Match results week 28 - 14^th April

Blackheath         59        22     Fylde

Cinderford          43        14     Tynedale

Ealing Tfs            55         33    Coventry

Jersey                  39           0    Macclesfield

Rosslyn Park      34         19   Birmingham Solihull

Sedgley Park      19         41    Blaydon

Stourbridge        29         22   Barking

Wharfedale        31         24   Cambridge    

A series of high scoring results this week: The expected win of the fast improving Blackheath over Fylde, put paid to Fylde’s slim promotion hopes, and at last gave Blackheath a win over a top three side, perhaps a portent for next season.

Pack power from Jersey helped them nil Macclesfield, and they are still 6 points ahead of the only remaining promotion candidate Ealing, who put 9 tries past Coventry, although in the process leaked 5 tries themselves, with Coventry remaining in 9^th place. It would now   need an unusual set of circumstances to deny Jersey their promotion.

Rosslyn Park consolidate 5th place with an expected victory over Birmingham Solihull, whilst Stourbridge won the battle of the basement clubs with their win over Barking.

Tynedale’s poor run continued with a heavy away loss at Cinderford, who are chasing the improving Blaydon over 7^th place.

Week 29 - 21^st April match previews

Barking                              v          Sedgley Park

Birmingham Solihull       v          Blackheath

Blaydon                              v         Rosslyn Park

Cambridge                          v         Stourbridge

Coventry                             v         Jersey

Fylde                                    v         Ealing Tfs

Macclesfield                        v        Cinderford

Tynedale                              v        Wharfedale      

The penultimate round of fixtures which could see Jersey crowned champions. With Jersey travelling to Coventry, any sort of victory over them would see them crowned champions, despite what might happen to Ealing as they face Fylde away.  Jersey are 6 points ahead of Ealing, with a better points difference and larger number of wins.

In the chase over the lesser places, an expected win by Blackheath away at Birmingham Solihull, with say Fylde losing at home to Ealing, would see Blackheath go into 3^rd place.

In the chase over 7^th place, there are difficult games for both Blaydon and Cinderford, with probably Blaydon the favourite to maintain 7^th spot.

Coventry Rugby  v Jersey match preview:

Butts Park Arena, this Saturday 21^st April, sees Coventry Rugby’s last home game of the season, as they face Champions elect Jersey, kick off 3pm. In what is expected to be before the highest attendance of the past two seasons at BPA, a crucial game for Jersey, as any sort of win for them would see them, crowned champions and promoted to the Championship, after their first season in National League 1.

Under Director of Rugby Ben Harvey, Jersey have seen back to back promotions, and are currently leading the league on 110 points, 6 ahead of their only remaining challengers Ealing.  Jersey, in view of their superior points difference and number of wins, only require 4 points from their remaining 2 games to be promoted. Jersey are believed to have a nucleus of 7 full-time players, with a mixture of local players and some high profile imports.

They have the best defensive record in the league, having won 24 games and lost only 4. They lost to Fylde on the opening day of the season, and Ealing took away their home record. Their two remaining losses, somewhat surprisingly have come at Cinderford and Barking.

Of the top three sides in this league, Jersey arguably have the most all round game and pragmatic approach. Based around a strong pack, especially a back row of local lad No 8 Nick Trower, and a try machine No 7 of Guy Thompson, who signed from Richmond and is currently leading try scorer on 18, they have a penchant for pressuring their opponents late on in the game, as Coventry found to their cost when they lost 29-3 in December.

There still remain some Coventry connections with the club, as former Coventry players prop Dai Maddocks and centre Donovan Sanders are expected to play, and of course DOR Ben Harvey and Phil Maynard have worked together at more than one club. Back row forward Jethro Rawling has recently come in from Leicester Academy on loan, after a short spell earlier in the season at Coventry.

Experienced lock Jim Brownrigg is part of an abrasive pack.

In the backs, Jersey have two of the league’s top 10 leading kickers with full back Michael Le Bourgeois and No 10 Ross Broadfoot. Winger James Copsey is leading backs try scorer at the club on 16, and in David Bishop, signed from Newport-Gwent Dragons, they have another experienced centre.

In what is expected to be a match of great intensity and excitement Jersey will be going all out for that promotion win, whilst Coventry need to play to their full potential, before an expected record BPA crowd, to put a marker down for next season.

As usual kick off is at 3pm, at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday 21^st April.  In view of the expected crowds please be there as early as possible, this will be the last chance for Coventry supporters to see their team at home this season.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

Week 28 results roundup with week 29, 21st April match...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 16/04/2012 10:44

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
16/04/2012 10:44

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