Coventry
National League 1 results round up - round 22 February 16.
By Tom Little.
February 18 2013
together with 23rd February re-arranged fixtures preview.
Round 22 Results 16th February:
Blackheath 30 22 Cinderford
Esher 33 36 Ealing Tfs
Fylde 27 33 Cambridge
Loughborough St 19 22 Macclesfield
Old Albanian 14 28 Blaydon
Richmond 34 33 Coventry
Tynedale 38 34 Rosslyn Park
Wharfedale 22 26 Sedgley Park
A Saturday of narrow victories, last minute dramas and controversies that saw only two sides failing to get even a bonus point with 6 games only separated by one score. Yet the headline must surely be “ notice of our impending relegation is greatly exaggerated” with all the bottom three sides not only winning but doing it the hard way away from home.
In the case of Cambridge probably still a pyrrhic victory as they may have won the battle but lost the war, at least positive signs for the new coaching team.
The top of the league saw only leaders Ealing and Blaydon win, surely the defeats of Rosslyn Park and Esher rule them out of the promotion equation. The title is now Ealing’s to lose and comes with the news filtering through that Ealing have the necessary funds to support their expected elevation to the Championship.
Pride of place on Saturday must surely go to bottom side Cambridge, whose bonus point away victory at Fylde, although effectively too late to save their National League 1 status puts down a marker for them next season. Fylde whose form has been up and down like so many in the crowded mid-table still managed to score 4 tries but Cambridge deserved their victory.
Macclesfield, who now must be cursing their earlier deduction of 5 points have put two wins together, this latest one beating Loughborough Students in a very tight game. In the end it was the goal kicking of Tom Eaton that proved the difference. A win that now reduces the margin to safety to just 10 points.
A margin that might give 13th placed Wharfedale nightmares as their surprise home loss to Sedgley Park heaps more and more pressure on them. With fly half Steve Collins calling the tune and a late Park try confirming the victory, a win that still gives them hope but Wharfedale after their 7th loss in a row brings them within sight of Macclesfield and Sedgley Park. In reality the final two relegation places should still come from these three teams.
The key game at the top of the league saw leaders Ealing gain a last gasp win over neighbours Esher, and how many times have we heard that this season. A loss for Esher that effectively scuppers their chances for promotion, but gives Ealing a 9-point lead over Blaydon. A hat trick of tries for winger Phil Chesters and the winning try by the other winger Owen Bruynseels in the last move of the game, together with Tom Wheatcroft’s goal kicking proved decisive in overriding the effective Esher pack.
Blaydon kept the pressure on Ealing with a bonus point away win over Old Albanian, helped by a brace of tries from Rob Bell. Not for the first time this season a clinical display by Blaydon both in finishing and defence restricted the home side.
The remaining tie involving a side chasing at the top saw a loss for a Rosslyn Park side, who met a Tynedale side whose result at last matched their recent efforts. Despite two tries from Hugo Ellis a Chris Harris try within 30 seconds and a try deep in injury time sealed the game for Tynedale; scores that surely makes Tynedale safe this season and effectively removes Rosslyn Park from the title chase.
It was another added time score that gave Richmond a late victory over Coventry. With Coventry’s usually good defence asleep in the 1st half they fell behind 20-6 by half time. A second half fight back helped by John Attlee’s yellow card, who was later lucky to stop on the field after a series of offences saw Coventry lead 33-27. Now it was Coventry’s yellow card for Heath Stevens with 7 minutes to go which gave the home side the impetus with a series of 5m scrums. A somewhat controversial penalty try gave Richmond the win which keeps Coventry in 10th place but moves Richmond up to 5th.
The final game saw Blackheath in another late victory over Cinderford, helped by the goal and line kicking of former Cinderford player Rory Teague, making up for a series of errors by the home side.
Re-arranged fixtures 23rd February with match previews.
Fixtures Saturday 23rd February
Cambridge v Macclesfield
Sedgley Park v Fylde
Wharfedale v Loughborough Students
Welcome relief at the top of the league this week as all the leading sides have a week off, including Coventry Rugby. No such luck at the other end of the table as all 3 fixtures involve the 4 sides trying to escape the relegation zone. A crucial set of fixtures for all these relegation candidates.
Bottom side Cambridge buoyed by recent win at Fylde and introduction of new coaches face a form Macclesfield side who are now slowly catching up with Wharfedale just above them. With the gap now down to 10 points a crucial game for Macclesfield but the home side have nothing to lose but plenty to prove so they could still prove a handful.
The second game sees Sedgley Park entertain Fylde, in another north-west derby. Park whose win last week at Wharfedale put to an end a run of 12 consecutive losses must now fancy their chances against a Fylde side who continues to be inconsistent and a shadow of last season’s side in challenging for the top. Even so a win for Fylde could put them back in the top half of the table. Really a must win for Sedgley Park to continue to put pressure on Macclesfield and Wharfedale just above them.
The final game of this truncated Saturday sees Wharfedale now on a run of 7 consecutive losses and slowly being caught by Macclesfield and Sedgley Park, facing Loughborough Students. A must win especially for Dale to increase the gap from those below them but a loss for the Students could even bring them into the equation following their surprise loss at home to Macclesfield.
All in all an enthralling short list of games reinforcing the need for a vibrant promotion and relegation system in all leagues.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office.
17th February 2013.
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18/02/2013 09:30
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Coventry may have lost their game at Richmond but i feel it was more stolen by the official than lost. Standing close to the posts when scrum after scrum was reset when to all, even Richmond Players, the reset should at least have been Covs. Heath's yellow card was just part of the poor decision making shown by the official who did not even penalise Richmond when Scott was taken out in mid air earlier in the half.
We all new the game would go on until the penalty try could be awarded. Then to add insult to injury the Richmond player gestured with the minimum of digits to the Cov supporters behind the posts and pointed to the score board after we had been charged Ł4-15p for a pint. All in all a good game spoilt by the result and actions of just a few.
Richmond's Number 7 was the chap who was goading us, no need really, cocky little beggar, can't wait to see him next season when we trounce them home and away, i'll make sure he's showed the score
Quote:Indeed. I thought it was a very exciting game with the result in doubt till the end. The sporting spirit was obvious with a good acknowledgement of each other's skill at the end. To pick out a silly incident as representative of the match is inaccurate.zinzanh
That's why he is picked in the best position on the park !
The ref was pretty fair and to claim the match was won by him is to descend to Ferguson-type football sour grapes.
Two old clubs gave us an entertaining and hard fought match.
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