By Tom Little.
February 3 2014

results round up.

Results week 21 - 1^st February 2014

Cinderford      v      Blaydon      match postponed

Coventry Rugby                      22           10         Wharfedale

Esher                                        36           19         Worthing Raiders

Hull Ionians                               7           53         Old Albanian

Loughborough Students        12          31         Doncaster Knights

Richmond                                 25          10         Henley Hawks

Rosslyn Park                             12          15        Blackheath

Tynedale                                   26            7        Fylde

Saturday saw Doncaster Knights consolidate their lead at the top whilst their closest challengers Rosslyn Park and Fylde, were somewhat surprisingly beaten, Esher and Coventry Rugby got their campaigns back on track albeit probably too late, whilst Wharfedale seemed happy with their lot.

It was not  only the weather that  played a part with heavy pitches and in some cases gale force winds, which also saw the postponement of the Cinderford-Blaydon match, but a flurry of yellow cards which seemed to have an impact on certain games.

Surprise of the round this week is surely the first home defeat of second placed Rosslyn Park to one of their London rivals Blackheath. For the second week running Blackheath defied the league table with a justified win which at last takes them out of the relegation zone, but leaves Rosslyn Park now 7 points adrift of leaders Doncaster Knights. Always a close contest in heavy conditions a Dave Allen third quarter try gave Blackheath the impetus to hold out for their win.

Another team to defy their league position Tynedale managed their fourth win in five games with a comprehensive home victory over high flying Fylde. A dominant home pack in a game of 4 yellow cards, gave their visitors no respite providing try scoring machine centre Ben Frankland the opportunities for two further tries, in a bonus point win. A win that still leaves Tynedale in the relegation zone but surely now with their confidence back to allow them to start climbing out of it, as for Fylde  their away inconsistency came back to haunt them with them surely too far behind Doncaster to mount a realistic challenge.

With both Rosslyn Park and Fylde slipping up it was Doncaster Knights who were able to take full advantage with a bonus point victory at Loughborough Students. A bright start by the Students before a record crowd of 1100,came to nothing as youthful impetuosity led to five yellow cards against Loughborough compared with one against Doncaster ,which somewhat skewed the result at the end as the Students were reduced to 12 men, however the dominant Doncaster pack had started to take control in the second half as they ran out easy winners, a win that takes them 7 points clear of Rosslyn Park. Two tries by leading try scorer Tyson Lewis and the goal kicking of player coach Dougie Flockhart proved invaluable.

Esher were back on track after two straight defeats with an fairly easy win over Worthing Raiders. Once again it was the home pack that provided the impetus after a close first half, as Esher dominated the second half scoring in total 5 tries. This win brings Esher back to just one point behind third placed Fylde, but leaves Worthing Raiders only one win above the danger zone.

Another team to get back into winning ways was Coventry Rugby as they overcame the elements as well as a hard tackling Wharfedale side for a justified win. Playing into a gale force wind Coventry managed a close half-time lead as their forwards started to dominant especially in the set scrum. It was more of the same in the second half as the visitors were scoreless as they were pinned into their own half as their scrum continued to go backwards. Then a late yellow card against Wharfedale worked against Coventry as scrums went to uncontested, surely time for this loophole to be closed, with Coventry not able to get the bonus point. The win takes Coventry Rugby up to fifth and now only 7 points behind third placed Fylde, with a game in hand.

Old Albanian continued with their form over Coventry will a 9 try victory over Hull Ionians. With probably the best playing conditions of the weekend, the away side took full advantage with a display of fine running rugby, to which Hull Ionians had no answer. A win that takes Old Albanian into the top half of the table but leaves Hull Ionians firmly at the bottom.

The final game saw a crucial win for Richmond as they overcame a Henley Hawks side also struggling at the wrong half of the table. Henley had no answer to the attacking prowess of the home centres as they shipped three tries. A win that takes Richmond two points ahead of the relegation zone and leaves Henley one place below them but on the same match points. Still too close to call at this end.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

2nd February 2014.

National league 1 week 21 - Saturday 1st February 2014...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 03/02/2014 08:51

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
03/02/2014 08:51

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net