By Tom Little.
October 14 2012

previews:

Week 7 - 13^th October results

Blackheath              41         42     Ealing Tfs

Esher                         38         16    Sedgley Park

Fylde                          44         12    Cinderford

Loughborough St      13        12    Old Albanian(s)

Macclesfield              25         30   Rosslyn Park

Richmond                   30        10   Cambridge  

Tynedale                     22        23    Coventry

Wharfedale                 28       32    Blaydon

A Saturday of 4 close away victories including two in added time, a player acting above the line of duty and a first win for Loughborough Students.

The key questions still exist though who will be the first to lower Ealing’s colours and who will break into the top 4 hegemony of the M25 clubs.

Leaders Ealing needed a last minute penalty by buy of the season Tom Wheatcroft whose 55m kick after Rory Teagues’s indiscretion gave them the victory, coming from behind now in 2 of their last three games. Never knowingly beaten Ealing are starting to put some distance between them and the chasing pack.

Rosslyn Park made it 4 wins in a row bringing them into 2^nd place as they beat Macclesfield, which anchors them in bottom place. This was despite a brave 2^nd half fight back by the home side which at least brought them a losing bonus point.

Esher started proving their credentials with an overwhelming bonus point victory over Sedgley Park, helped by a brace of tries from No 8 Jack Clifford, perhaps they will be the one providing the main opposition to Ealing.

A born again resurgent Fylde, at last showing some of last season’s skill and movement put 6 tries over previously high flying Cinderford, yet to win in their last 3 games. Has the Foresters bubble burst, and will Fylde start to make a challenge for the top again?

Tynedale saw another last minute win, this time for visitors Coventry deep into added time, as a Tom Harris try with touchline conversion by Cliffie Hodgson gave the Midlanders the win, this after Coventry lost their lead for the first time also in added time. The decision by Coventry’s Jacques Le Roux to play after personal tragedy showed an attitude that transcends the normal.

In another exciting win away game saw the north-east beat the north-west, as Blaydon’s better all round game both defensively and with incisive running overcame a dogged  Wharfedale. This moves Blaydon up to the heady heights of 5^th can they maintain their challenge at the top?

Newcomers Richmond were too powerful up front with back row David O’Brien in imperious form as they overcame Cambridge. The two penalty tries proved decisive, perhaps the only surprise was there was no home bonus point, maybe the dreadful weather didn’t help.

Finally pride of place goes to Loughborough Students who got their winning ways on track in beating fellow newcomers Od Albanians.  A win that still leaves LS in the relegation zone, but off the bottom. Perhaps Old Albanians need player coach and playmaker James Shanahan to play to marshal his team.

Another series of exciting matches with leaders Ealing now increasing their leading margin, and the bottom three even more isolated at the bottom of the league.

Week 8 20^th October fixtures and match previews

Blaydon                   v          Old Albanian(s)

Cambridge               v          Fylde

Cinderford               v          Blackheath

Coventry                  v          Richmond 

Ealing Tfs                  v         Esher

Macclesfield             v        Loughborough Students

Rosslyn Park             v        Tynedale

Sedgley Park             v        Wharfedale   

Another week another London derby, as third placed Esher travel down the road to leaders Ealing. With Esher getting used to this league and coming into a rich vein of form, perhaps this is the week Ealing’s invincibility runs out.

Rosslyn Park in 2nd place should be favourites to beat long distance visitors Tynedale, still smarting for a last kick defeat by Coventry. Rosslyn Park despite not being at their best are putting a useful run together with 4 wins and a draw so should be full of confidence.

Previous top three contenders Cinderford meet Blackheath in the forest, with Cinderford not having won in three games and now back in 6th place. Blackheath always difficult to beat could spring the surprise of the weekend after nearly lowering Ealing colours last week. The return of Rory Teague back to Cinderford adds even more spice to the meeting.

Can surprise package Blaydon break into the top 4, well they stand a good chance at home to Old Albanians, finding it difficult to win if James Shanahan cannot play.  The better all round game of the north-easterners should prove decisive.

It is mid table as Coventry entertain one of their oldest rivals Richmond with the winner hoping to break into the top 6. Both sides will be confident after last week’s wins, but home support should prove the match winner.

Another close mid table battle should see once again a home advantage with Sedgley Park triumphing over visitors Wharfedale.

Relegation zone Cambridge face a most difficult task at home to increasingly in form Fylde-there should only be one winner in this confirming Cambridge as one of the favourites for relegation.

The final fixture sees the bottom two sides face each other with Macclesfield slight favourites as they are at home after last week losing such a close battle to high flying Rosslyn Park. However Loughborough Students cannot be discounted as they won their first game last week, and now know it can be done.

Another fine week of fixtures with the mid table so crowded with only 5 points separating 4th and 12th spot, once again the mantra of consistency, consistency, consistency must be the order of the day.

Once again a fuller match report of the Coventry Rugby v Richmond game will be available shortly.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

14^th October 2012

Week 7 results round up with week 8 - 20th October match...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 14/10/2012 19:32

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
14/10/2012 19:32

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