By Tom Little.
February 11 2013

with full match preview  of Coventry Rugby v Richmond.

Fixtures Saturday 16^th February:

Blackheath                            v      Cinderford

Esher                                      v      Ealing Tfs

Fylde                                       v      Cambridge 

Loughborough Students      v      Macclesfield

Old Albanian                           v      Blaydon

Richmond                                v      Coventry

Tynedale                                  v      Rosslyn Park

Wharfedale                              v      Sedgley Park

Back to the scheduled fixtures for this week with the key game of Round 22 being the London derby between Esher as they entertain leaders Ealing Tfs. Esher had a surprise loss away at Old Albanian, their first loss in 5 games as they let a lead slip away. Ealing after a home win over Richmond are now in a run of 9 unbeaten games and 9 points clear from Blaydon. A game more crucial for Esher if they have any pretence at catching the leaders. A close game is expected as the powerful Esher pack meet the free running backs of Ealing.

Blaydon will be looking to get over their surprise loss at home to Blackheath, but face a difficult away trip to Old Albanian. Blaydon are now only 2 points ahead of Esher but the home side will be confident after a late surge allowed them to beat Esher last week.  A win for OA will cement their position in 5^th place, but another loss for Blaydon may be one loss too many.

Rosslyn Park will be striving for their 4^th win in a row as they travel to the north-east to face Tynedale. Both sides need to win for different reasons, Tynedale to  increase their margin from the relegation zone, whilst Rosslyn Park who were impressive in their win over Coventry could see them move up into 2^nd place. Once again Tynedale cannot be written off despite their recent losses they are better than their results suggest.

The most important game at the nether regions of the table see Wharfedale entertain Sedgley Park. Wharfedale now in a run of 6 losses are still only 13 points ahead of the relegation zone need the win to bring them some degree of safety. On the other hand Sedgley Park now only having won once in 13 games are quickly running out of games to escape the drop. Perhaps their most important game of the season.

The lifeline Macclesfield earned for themselves in beating Sedgley Park may not be enough as they face a difficult trip to Loughborough Students. The Students are getting a reputation for never giving games up often coming from behind to win, so Macclesfield need to be on their best form to get the win.

Bottom side Cambridge face the unenviable trip to the seaside as they meet Fylde, whose recent home form has been a revelation, which has seen them climb to 9^th place yet just 3 points behind 6^th.It is difficult to see Cambridge getting even a losing bonus point out of this game, a defeat which will surely confirm relegation.

The final two games involve 4 teams in the crowded mid-table which sees only 8 points separating 6 teams.

Blackheath who had an excellent away win at Blaydon are back at home to face a Cinderford team whose recent home form hasn’t matched their away form. A win for either team could see either of them up to 6^th place, but form suggests a win for the home side.

The final game sees Coventry Rugby visit Richmond, with both sides disappointed by their respective defeats last week. A win for Coventry could see them displace Richmond from 6^th place. Both sides need the win to get within sight of a top 5 finish. Home advantage makes Richmond slight favourites.

Match preview Coventry Rugby v Richmond.

Coventry Rugby are back on the road  this Saturday 16^th February as they visit one of their traditional rivals  Richmond, at the Athletic Ground with kick off at 3pm. Earlier in the season both sides fought out  a 20 all draw with the game ebbing and flowing all the way.

Richmond  promoted to National league 1 after a playoff  have settled well into the league under former Oxford University Director of Rugby Steve Hill. He has seen his side win 10, lose 8 and draw 3 games and are currently in 6^th place but just 4 points and 4 places ahead of Coventry Rugby who have a game in hand.

Richmond have only lost twice at home this season to Rosslyn Park and Blackheath, but also have had good wins over  Blaydon, Esher, Old Albanian and Cinderford, as well as a key draw with leaders Ealing Tfs.

A team that Coventry cannot take too lightly as they have shown they do have the ability to match any team in this league. A side noted for its strong pack Richmond have had a fairly settled side for some seasons and their recent good form includes only two losses in 7 games.

Key players include the league’s 9^th leading goal kicker in Tom Platt who usually plays at fullback, new signing from Esher scrum half James Gibbs, and centre Toby Quarendon from Leeds.

At fly half they can call on the services of loan player from Quins, Louis Grimoldby and have also signed a No 8 from Sale, J P Attlee.

A fast mobile and prominent back row is completed by Harrison Edwards and Steven Wood, with the packs try scoring ability helped by experienced lock Chris Davies.

Winger or centre James Greenwood has also be in fine try scoring mode and his finishing is one to watch for.

A good all round side with a combative pack, who until their defeat against Ealing last week had won three games in a row. A stern test for a Coventry side wanting to put behind them the disappointment of last week’s defeat by Rosslyn Park.

Another close game is expected as a win for Coventry Rugby could allow them to overtake Richmond into 6^th place, whilst Richmond would want to close the gap onto Old Albanian in 5^th.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

11^th February 2013

National League 1 round 22 match previews 16th February 2013

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 11/02/2013 18:58

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
11/02/2013 18:58

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