By Tom Little.
October 1 2013

Saturday 5th October 2013 including Blaydon v Coventry rugby.

Fixtures Week 5/ Round 5 Saturday 5^th October

Blackheath                      v            Tynedale

Blaydon                            v            Coventry Rugby

Doncaster Knights          v            Fylde

Henley Hawks                  v           Hull Ionians   

Old Albanian                     v          Rosslyn Park

Richmond                          v          Cinderford

Wharfedale                        v          Esher

Worthing Raiders              v          Loughborough St           

Week 5 sees some tricky encounters for the top three sides Doncaster Knights, Coventry Rugby and Esher.  How they get on might give some pointers to what is expected of them for the rest of the season. It doesn’t get any easier for Hull Ionians at the bottom or indeed Tynedale in 14th place.

Doncaster Knights face a Fylde side who last week lost their unbeaten record, in what could be described as a series of defensive lapses coupled with ill-discipline. Fylde with the third worst defensive record in the league face a Doncaster side who have themselves the 2^nd best defensive record. On the face of it only one winner, but If Fylde can tighten up their game they could give the leaders a fright. Doncaster should run out winners in a tight contest, even if the score isn’t.

Coventry Rugby face the long daunting trip to the North-East to face Blaydon. With diametrically results so far Coventry Rugby will be looking to maintain their fine start, whilst Blaydon will be looking for their first win. A more detailed preview of this game will follow this general preview.

Esher face another hike this time to Wharfedale, who perhaps against the odds have won two and lost two. With Esher defending their 100% record and one of the pre-season favourites they will be a difficult side for Dale to beat even on their own ground. I expect a narrow victory for the away side to maintain the pressure on Coventry and Doncaster.

Not sure whether the cricket season is over but when Worthing Raiders entertain Loughborough Students, having scored 39 tries between them it is a safe bet that it won’t be a nil nil draw. Another high scoring extravaganza is expected as both sides won’t have been able to iron out their defensive frailties yet. Both sides have shown that they can score from all over the pitch but Worthing will be looking for their first home win of the season and should be slight favourites.

Old Albanian, whose performances have yet to match last season’s face an unbeaten Rosslyn Park side. Park who have the meanest defence in the league will be buoyed by last week’s bonus point win over Blaydon, whilst Old Albanian although good in defence were outplayed by an Esher side. A close one again but Rosslyn Park should just do it.

Blackheath whose scintillating 1^st half display against the Students almost came undone in the second half should be just too strong both in their pack and finishing ability as they face Tynedale. A difficult game for Tynedale as they don’s usually travel well and seem to have lost some of their confidence. After last week’s scare I can’t see Blackheath letting this one slip in what should be an easy victory.

Richmond back on track after their win at Hull Ionians meet a Cinderford  side whose start to the season has been disappointing. Already battle hardened with some difficult games the home side should run out comfortable victors over the Foresters.

The final game sees two of the promoted sides Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians face each other. Although Hull Ionians managed to pick up their first match point on Saturday, they have found it more difficult than Henley to adjust to the new league. With their greater experience and home advantage I expect that Henley should be too strong.

Blaydon v Coventry Rugby match preview.

This Saturday 5^th October kick off 2.30 pm sees Coventry Rugby   make their annual pilgrimage to the North-East to play Blaydon at their Crow Trees Ground.

Blaydon, founded in 1888 finished a very creditable 3^rd last season under experienced former Newcastle Falcons player Micky Ward, who is Director of Rugby assisted by Head Coach Lee Hogarth. They maintain close links with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons both with coaching and with a number of players on dual registered loan terms.

Last season Blaydon did the double over Coventry winning at the BPA by 17-8 and then at Crow Trees by 39-25 after Coventry had gone into an early lead.

This season they have made a poor start losing their first 4 games with home losses to Loughborough Students and Esher with away losses at Tynedale, and last Saturday, Rosslyn Park beat them 41-15. Losses that have left them in 15^th place in the relegation zone.

Yet Blaydon have kept largely the same squad they have had for some years, whether other teams have improved will only been known as the season progresses. They have found it difficult to score tries only 8 so far this season compared to Coventry Rugby’s 18.

Very few players in or out this season with Gavin Painter moving to DMP, centre Sam Hanks to Cinderford  and Zach Kibirige to the Falcons, whilst new players include Tom Bramwell centre from Tynedale, Tom Grimes also a centre from Preston Grasshoppers and Francis  Entressengle hooker from Huddersfield, as well as a number of dr players from the Newcastle Academy.

Key players retained  include former Coventry player Rob Bell playing as well as ever in the back row, wingers Tom Banks and Tom Jeffrey and leading goal kicker fly-half Andrew Baggett. The forwards seem as strong as ever with DOR Micky Ward also playing in the front row with Hall Charlton and Robbie Kilbraier. Locks Nick Hamilton and Chris Wearmouth with player coach Jason Smithson in the back row gives an added amount of experience to the pack.

Certainly an intriguing fixture as Coventry Rugby find it difficult to win here but they will be buoyant as they go for a record breaking 5 wins in a row for the start of a league season. Coventry will need to be at their best to get anything out of this fixture and they cannot be too complacent, as Blaydon will certainly mark this down as a first win for them, especially on their home ground. Coventry Rugby will certainly need to get more possession than they obtained against Richmond and Henley.

For those travelling up north the full address of the ground is Blaydon RFC, Crow Trees, Hexham Road, Swalwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE16 3DN. Detailed travel  instructions can be obtained from the official Blaydon website on www.blaydonrfc.co.uk

Please note that it is a 2.30 pm kick off.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

1^st October 2013.

National league 1 week 5 match previews..

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 01/10/2013 14:16

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
01/10/2013 14:16

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