By Tom Little.
March 17 2013

including Coventry Rugby v Esher.

Fixtures 23^rd March

Cambridge         v      Wharfedale

Cinderford          v     Old Albanian

Coventry             v     Esher

Ealing Tfs            v     Blaydon

Macclesfield       v     Fylde

Rosslyn Park       v     Blackheath

Sedgley Park       v     Loughborough Students

Tynedale              v     Richmond

With just 6 matches left of the season this is a key week both at the top and bottom of the league. Key game must be leaders Ealing Tfs as they face their closest challengers Blaydon. Despite last week’s loss at Fylde, which broke an unbeaten run of 12 games, Ealing still managed to pick up a losing bonus point and are now 14 points ahead of Blaydon. Not too much should be read into this loss at Fylde, as Fylde have now beaten all the top four sides at home. It is not expected that Ealing will fail at this last hurdle and if they can get their expansive offloading game going they should have enough power and pace throughout the team to defeat their doughty northern visitors.

The race to avoid the final relegation spot heats up with the current candidate Macclesfield facing the harder task at home to Fylde. With both sides in such a rich vein of form with Macclesfield on 6 wins, and Fylde on 4, then if the home side can restrain the free flowing off-loading game of Fylde, then Macclesfield stand a chance. A question of who wants the win more.

Macclesfield’s closest contender for relegation is Wharfedale, whose recent home loss to Old Albanian leaves them just 1 point ahead of their rivals. However they do have the prospect of an easier game away at bottom side Cambridge. The home side are still scoring plenty of tries but their defence is sadly lacking, so nerves may play a part in Wharfedale’s break for freedom. A defeat for Wharfedale would give a slight edge to Macclesfield whatever their own result.

The other side contemplating relegation is Sedgley Park, who entertain a Loughborough Students side buoyed after a hat-trick of wins which has taken them up to 9^th place. The Students have already shown in many of their games that they can come back from large deficits as their fitness and running starts to tell, so I fear another nail in the coffin for Sedgley Park.

The four remaining games all involve sides that are not involved in either promotion or relegation battles.

Pick of the games is the visit of third placed Esher to Coventry Rugby. With Coventry yet to beat a top four side and after such a disappointing display at Macclesfield, Coventry need the win, whilst a win for Esher gives them a chance of overtaking Blaydon in second place. A more detailed preview of Coventry Rugby v Esher will follow.

Top half London sides Rosslyn Park and Blackheath meet, with Park still smarting from  a late loss to Loughborough Students, With rumours suggesting that former Rotherham coach Alex Codling  is taking over next season, the home side will be wanting to get back to winning ways and maintain their lead over chasing 5^th place Fylde. Blackheath will be pleased with their 9 try demolition of Sedgley Park and will be no pushovers.

Tynedale, who are still not theoretically safe take on Richmond, but after their recent 10 try mauling of Cambridge, will fancy their chances for another home win which should make them safe in National league 1.

The final game sees the visit of Old Albanian to Cinderford. With the Foresters now on a run of three straight losses home form may not be so important, but with Old Albanian winning a very tight game at Wharfedale, this could be a game too close to call.

COVENTRY RUGBY V ESHER MATCH PREVIEW.

This Saturday 23^rd March sees the return of Coventry Rugby to the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3pm, as they face Esher. Their opponents Esher were formed in 1923, and are currently in third position on 84 points, just 2 behind Blaydon following their relegation from the Championship last season.

Under coach Ollie Smith, and assisted by former Toulon and Saracens lock Khris Chesney as player coach, Esher have so far won 16 games and lost 8. The teams last met in November when the home side won 27-10, in a game when both sets of backs cancelled each other out, but the power and pace of the Esher pack proved decisive.

Since then both sides have played 13 matches with Esher finding the better form with 8 wins and 5 losses, compared to Coventry Rugby’s 6 wins and 7 losses. Wins include those over Loughborough Students, Tynedale, Cinderford and Blaydon, and a narrow loss to leaders Ealing. However they have found it difficult in losing their local derbies to Blackheath, Rosslyn Park and Richmond.

Renowned for their fast moving but powerful pack Esher also have a penchant for scoring tries being second only to Ealing with 104 tries compared to Coventry’s 63, whilst Coventry Rugby still have the best defensive record in the league.

Despite losing a few players following their relegation, Esher have recruited well with  goal kicking back Chris Elder coming in from Wasps and fellow back/half back Gareth Morgan in from Worcester. Full back Charlie Walker with his mazy runs is a player to watch. Experienced players include centre Tom Cheeseman and full back Rob Kirby and new half backs Luke Daniels to partner scrum half Andrew Garner. Former Coventry wing Spencer Sutherland is getting plenty of game time, as is leading try scorer winger Andy Wright with 12 tries.

A strong and abrasive pack includes locks Khris Chesney and Ian Kench, with an experienced front row and a back row of Jack Clifford and Mark Macfarlane at No 8 whose speed and try scoring ability cannot be ignored.

A game more important for Coventry Rugby as they want to put behind them the disappointment of some of their recent  results as they look for a top half finish, as well as putting behind them their display in losing to Esher earlier in the season on their home ground, as well as making a statement for next season over an Esher team that is expected to be challenging for their own promotion.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

17^th March 2013.

National league 1 round 25 match previews 23rd March 2013..

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 17/03/2013 19:45

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
17/03/2013 19:45

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