National league 1 re-arranged fixtures Saturday 16th March.


By Tom Little.
March 11 2013

previews including Coventry Rugby v Macclesfield.

Fixtures Saturday 16th March

Blackheath                              v       Sedgley Park

Fylde                                        v       Ealing Tfs

Loughborough Students       v      Rosslyn Park

Macclesfield                            v      Coventry

Tynedale                                   v      Cambridge

Wharfedale                              v      Old Albanian

The final series of re-arranged fixtures after recent postponements sees 6 fixtures this Saturday, which will finally complete Round 24, leaving just 6 games to go Second and third placed Blaydon and Esher have already completed their 24 games, so leaders Ealing Tfs have the chance to increase their lead from their existing 13 points.

However they do face a resurgent Fylde side, now on a run of three wins, which has taken them up 5th place, after last week’s demolition job on Rosslyn Park. Yet Ealing have shown they have a hard edge and are very difficult to beat, even when coming from behind. Now on an unbeaten run of 11 games they will not give up their unbeaten run up easily. The better overall game of Ealing should be enough even if leading kicker Tom Wheatcroft continues his recent poor kicking form.

The only other top four side playing, Rosslyn Park visit Loughborough Students. The Students looking for their third win in a row face a Park side who were well beaten by Fylde, with a late surge from the home side. This defeat has effectively removed Rosslyn Park from the title chase and now face pressure from Fylde over 4th place. Home form and the kicking of Andy Hall should give the Students a narrow edge.

Macclesfield, now on a run of 5 consecutive wins must be buoyant after their last minute winner away at Richmond. A win that brings Macclesfield only 4 points from safety, behind Wharfedale and 5 points from Tynedale. A crucial game for the home side but Coventry will be no pushover, following their equally impressive away win at Blackheath. A game that could be too close to call, a more detailed Coventry Rugby v Macclesfield  match preview follows.

Another side fighting to avoid relegation is 13th placed Wharfedale who face an Old Albanian side who ran leaders Ealing very close last week. With Dale only 4 points ahead of Macclesfield, it is a must win game for them, but as Old Albanian have shown they can be a match for anyone in this league, so a nervous time for the green supporters.

Tynedale in 12th place also face being caught by Macclesfield as their lead is down to just 5 points. However they do face bottom side Cambridge, although now certain of relegation are putting up a strong fight to get at least something from their remaining games. With both sides finding it difficult to win, home advantage and the greater need to win should just prove enough for Tynedale.

The final game sees another relegation certainty Sedgley Park visit Blackheath. Despite Blackheath’s surprise home loss to Coventry, Park are a different proposition and the home side should get back to their winning ways.

 

Coventry Rugby v Macclesfield match preview

This Saturday 16th March sees the re-arranged fixture between Macclesfield and Coventry Rugby, kick off 3 pm at Priory Lane. Under experienced Director of Rugby, Geoff Wappett , Macclesfield finished last season in 6th place. A poor start to this season saw them only win twice in 11 games. Since then they have put together a winning run of 5 games, including home wins over Sedgley Park and Tynedale, and away wins at Cambridge, Loughborough Students and last week’s last minute score to defeat Richmond. This run of form has moved Macclesfield up from 15thto 14th place, but now only 4 points away from safety with 7 games left.

Overall Macclesfield have had 10 wins and 13 losses with 43 points including a 5 point deduction from the RFU, compared to Coventry Rugby’s 11 wins and 11 losses, one draw and 58 points.

Despite losing the influential Mulchrone brothers to Rotherham, centre Elliot Brierley and No 9 Matt Rhodes have made the opposite journey. The usual strong Macclesfield pack have   lock or back row Dave Marwick bringing his experience from his spell at Blaydon. A renowned front row includes former Coventry prop Martin Kent, prop Tom Mantell , and hooker Tom Cruse.

In the backs a key performer is fly half Tom Eaton whose goal kicking and tactical exploits have won the last three games for Macclesfield, working well with his partner Matt Rhodes. Having a similar try scoring record as Coventry there is still speed in the backs with wingers Ed Stobart and Josh Fowles.

With Coventry Rugby having the best defensive record in National League 1,as Macclesfield found to their cost earlier in the season as a strong second half display saw Coventry win the home encounter 38-3.

A key game for Macclesfield, as they make a belated but strong attempt to escape the threat of relegation. Apart from league leaders Ealing, they are the form team in the league at present, so Coventry Rugby cannot afford to take them too lightly. Another must win game for the home side, but Coventry Rugby will also be brimming with confidence after their impressive away defeat of Blackheath, with Coventry Rugby needing the win to help achieve a top half finish. Two strong packs will battle it out for supremacy.

For those Coventry supporters wishing to travel  the full address of Macclesfield is Priory Lane,Macclesfield,Cheshire,SK10 4 AF. Full directions can be obtained from the official Macclesfield website on www.macclesfieldrufc.co.uk

 

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office  11th March 2013

 

 

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National league 1 re-arranged fixtures Saturday 16th March.
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