By Tom Little.
March 25 2013

including Coventry Rugby v Wharfedale preview.

Fixtures 29^th/30^th March

29^th March       Blackheath                 v       Macclesfield

30^th March       Blaydon                       v       Cinderford

                           Esher                            v       Rosslyn Park

                           Fylde                            v       Tynedale

                           Loughborough St       v       Richmond

                           Old Albanian               v       Cambridge

                           Sedgley Park               v        Ealing Tfs

                           Wharfedale                 v        Coventry   

A weekend that could see Ealing crowned Champions whilst the battle over the third relegation spot intensifies. 

Leaders Ealing travel to Sedgley Park ,with them only having lost once in 14 games, which has given them a lead of 17 points over their closest challengers  Blaydon, whom they beat last week. Sedgley Park still 18 points from safety cannot fancy their chances against the champions elect, who have recently found an ability to prise late wins from difficult situations.

On the face of it Park may be only two more losses away from certain relegation, and a win for Ealing could see them champions if Blaydon, Rosslyn Park and Esher all lose. A game that may define the season for both sides.

Second placed Blaydon, who put up such a brave fight in losing by a late try to Ealing, face a Cinderford side, on a poor run of form losing three in a row. Yet Blaydon’s own form has been patchy only 50/50 recently, so it is a must win for them to keep any sort of pressure on Ealing. The home side with their dominant pack should be favourites for the win, as Cinderford continue with tailing off from their earlier season’s bright start.

The battle for third place and even eventually second sees the London derby as Esher entertain Rosslyn Park. With both sides showing somewhat inconsistent form, home advantage and the formidable Esher pack should just give them the edge. Both sides will be wanting to put down a marker as two of the pre-season favourites for next season.

There are two games involving the close battle over the third relegation spot. Firstly Macclesfield who are now only 1 point from safety, still face a difficult trip to Blackheath. However Macclesfield, now on a run of 6 wins face a Blackheath side whose form has been erratic, especially if they can’t get their famed rolling maul going. With Macclesfield fighting for their lives and having a pack that should match Blackheath, a close game and tense match is expected.

The other side too close to the relegation zone for comfort is Wharfedale, now only one point from safety with Coventry Rugby their visitors. Both sides are struggling to find consistency with them recently each having a win/loss record. Coventry need to find the form that was so impressive in beating Blackheath away, whilst Wharfedale need the win to put them further ahead of Macclesfield. Another close game is expected with a more detailed preview to follow.

Form side Fylde, after their 4^th win in a row are up to 5^th spot and face a Tynedale side breathing with relief after last week’s win over Richmond. A win that moves them 10 points ahead of the relegation zone, however Dale don’t usually travel that well so will find it difficult against a Fylde side now showing their form of last season.

The mid-table clash between Loughborough Students and Richmond sees the home side on a run of three wins, whilst Richmond have lost their last three games. On the face of it an easy game for the Students, but as we have seen this season, form can be overturned. A game that could be a lot closer than first suggested as Richmond try and overtake Loughborough in the table.

The final game of this Easter weekend sees bottom side Cambridge visit their closest neighbours Old Albanian. Cambridge have lost their last 4 games and are now only one more loss from relegation, face an Old Albanian side who has been somewhat inconsistent of late, but their home form and more powerful game  should prove more than sufficient to win. An added incentive for Old Albanian is to keep pressure on 5^th placed Fylde.

Coventry Rugby v Wharfedale match preview

Coventry Rugby travel to North Yorkshire on Easter Saturday to face Wharfedale at their picturesque Threshfield ground on 30^th March, kick off 3 pm. The” greens” as they are known were founded in 1923.

Head Coach Tom McGee has maintained close links with Leeds Carnegie Championship side and is expanding his coaching role there but will still remain head Coach at Wharfedale next season, assisted by backs coach Jon Feeney.

Last season Wharfedale finished in 10^th place and are currently in 13^th place just 1 point ahead of the relegation zone on 48 points compared to Coventry’s 10^th place on 59 points. This season they have  won 8, lost  15 and drawn 1, compared to Coventry Rugby’s won 11, lost  12 and drawn 1.By a strange  quirk both teams have scored  544 points although Coventry has a far superior defensive record.

Earlier in the season Coventry beat Wharfedale 27-11 at BPA ,but since then both teams have struggled for consistency with Coventry  winning 5 from 12, but Wharfedale only 3 from 12, form which has brought them  perilously  close to the relegation zone. Dale’s three wins have come over Rosslyn Park, Loughborough Students and Cinderford all at home, with defeats by Sedgley Park and Macclesfield as have Coventry.

Despite their indifferent recent form Wharfedale have the ability to match any side and in Christian Georgiou from Leeds that an impressive full back. A good all round side key backs include centre Joe Donkin, halfbacks No 10 Tom Barrett who has taken over the goalkicking role as well as scrum half Phil Woodhead. Experienced winger Simon Horsfall is still scoring tries as is winger Adam Whaites.

An impressive front row is led by try scoring hooker Steve Graham and lock Adam Howard. The back row cannot be ignored with Aaron Myers and flanker Dan Solomi , who likes scoring tries against Coventry.

A key game for both sides as Wharfedale need the win to stop them from being sucked into the relegation zone, and  Coventry who need to show that their recent  away win at Blackheath was no fluke and should prove the benchmark for the remainder of the season.

For those fans wishing to travel please note the full address is Wharfeside Avenue, Threshfield, Skipton, N Yorks BD 23 5 BS, more detailed directions can be found on the official Wharfedale website at www.wharfedalerufc.co.uk

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

25^th March 2013.

National league 1 round 26 match previews 29th/30th March...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 25/03/2013 17:29

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
25/03/2013 17:29

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