Coventry
National league 1 catch up fixtures 1...
Photo: Nick Meredith
By Tom Little.
February 18 2014
Saturday 22nd February 2014 previews including Coventry Rugby v Richmond.
Catch up fixtures 1 - Saturday 22nd February 2014.
Cinderford v Blaydon
Coventry Rugby v Richmond
Loughborough Students v Tynedale
This coming Saturday sees the first reserve list of fixtures re-arranged from earlier postponed matches.
The Butts Park Arena sees the game previously scheduled for the 4th January, between Coventry Rugby and Richmond. Please note that this game will be at the earlier kick off time of 2pm to allow supporters to watch the England match later that afternoon in the clubhouse. Since that earlier postponed match Richmond’s form has been better than Coventry’s, lifting them well clear of the relegation zone, although Coventry’s last two home games performances have been impressive. A full preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.
It is a vital game for Cinderford as they host their north-eastern visitors Blaydon. The home side have had no less than 4 games postponed, this non activity has allowed them to slip into the second relegation place, yet still only 5 points from safety. Blaydon, who themselves are safely ensconced in 6th place have themselves 2 games in hand will find a Cinderford side fighting to gain this crucial win. Cinderford’s case has been somewhat enhanced by the fact that Blaydon have released three of their players for an English Counties game and one of their Newcastle Falcons DR players Ben Morris has been loaned onto Rotherham Titans. More on this somewhat controversial decision about released players later. Blaydon, whose own form has been somewhat erratic need to be really focused if they are to get anything out of this game against a fired up Cinderford.
The final game sees a key fixture for a fighting Tynedale side still needing to get out of the final relegation place, as they travel to Loughborough Students. Tynedale will still be smarting after their last minute defeat at the hands of leaders Doncaster Knights, where by all accounts their pack put the Knights under severe pressure. With centre Ben Frankland scoring tries at will this is a game that Tynedale need to win to take them out of the danger zone. The Students on the other hand have fallen off the pace recently not being able to maintain good starts in games. Although a close game I expect Tynedale’s greater need will prove decisive.
As already alluded too, because of a pre-arranged fixture for the English Counties side some players will be missing from their respective teams. This is expected to impact mainly on Blaydon with 3 players selected, with therefore Cinderford the unexpected and innocent beneficiary in this. This brings up the question of whether teams should be allowed to release such players when their opponents are involved in relegation battles. Not really a level playing field for the other sides battling to avoid relegation.
A similar but slightly different scenario will probably occur as the season is having to be extended into May to cover for a backlog of postponed games. This could also impact on teams fighting to avoid relegation as May is set aside for County matches. Mainly in the north it appears that County games often take precedent over club matches. A controversial stance if their opponents are involved in relegation matches. Last season we had May games played with one weakened side playing a full strength one which although not impacting on relegation certainly skewed the result.
Surely if teams want to be part of a league pyramid with promotion and relegation, being semi-professional at least, league fixtures take precedent .There is presently a get out clause stating that teams should play their best available side, but if players prefer to play county or representative games instead, some clubs will justify their weakened team selections.
Players are contracted to their clubs not to counties, and just because certain areas put more store say on county games than others this can distort for the league structure.
It is paramount that the integrity of the league is kept sacrosanct.
Overall a debating point, that may have to be sorted out before the end of this season, especially if the relegation battles go into May.
I would point out that the above comments are mine alone and do not form part of official Coventry Rugby policy.
Coventry Rugby v Richmond match preview.
This coming Saturday 22nd February 2014 sees the re-arranged match between Coventry Rugby and Richmond, here at The Butts Park Arena, kick off at the earlier time of 2pm. Another good crowd is expected on Saturday to confirm Coventry’s place has having this league’s largest attendances.
Founded in 1861, Richmond played the first recorded club fixture against Blackheath in 1864 and were one of the 8 founder members of the RFU in 1871. The first league match between Coventry Rugby and Richmond came in season 1988/9, and since then they have met 13 times with Coventry just ahead on 6 wins and 2 draws including this season’s last minute winner at The Athletic Ground courtesy of a penalty by Cliffie Hodgson.
Under head Coach Steve Hill, Richmond have had something of a poor start to this season but recently they have won three games in a row including an excellent away win at Blaydon. They are currently in 12th place with 50 match points consisting of 9 wins and 12 losses, compared to Coventry Rugby’s 5th place with 68 match points, 14 wins and 8 losses.
Apart from the Blaydon win Richmond have beaten Cinderford, Loughborough Students, Henley Hawks and Old Albanian at home, as well as a double over Hull Ionians and away wins at Blackheath and Tynedale. A side that cannot be taken too lightly as they are now showing the form that their team deserves. A good all round side with a strong pack and speedy finishers, they also have a similar defensive record to that of Coventry.
Richmond have managed to hold onto most of their squad over the past few seasons, with a good sprinkling of experience and younger players. The pack includes experienced lock/back rower Chris Davies who last week celebrated his 100th game for the club, backed up well at lock by Will Warden and Charlie Lenygon. In prop forward Danny Parkinson they have an experienced and a try scoring player. An impressive back row has Simon Ackroyd, Tom Sargeant, flanker Harry Edwards and former Sale Sharks player J P Attlee to choose from.
There is also plenty of class and speed out in the backs with half-backs Quins youngster Louis Grimoldby who may be recalled by Quins before this game and scrum-half James Gibbs, as well as recent MOM performances by Rob Kirby whose impressive goal-kicking has proved decisive either from fly-half or full-back. In centre Martin Freeman they have a dangerous broken field runner able to feed the fast wingers Will Browne, Rob Alexander or James Greenwood. New player Warren Abrahams has been earning good reviews for his full-back play with another experienced goal-kicker and full-back Tom Platt when available. Centre Matt Keville has just returned to the side after breaking his leg earlier in the season.
As usual with these two historic rivals, games are usually very close and there is no reason to doubt that this again will be the case when they meet on Saturday. Richmond have recently been showing great form which has taken them well clear of the relegation zone, whilst Coventry Rugby have been impressive in their last two home matches.
There is an added incentive for Coventry to do well in this match as a bonus point win for them would take them into 4th place above Esher, which would be their highest position since October and would leave them only 2 points behind third placed Fylde, who coincidently they meet the week after.
Please note that this game will be an earlier kick off than normal at 2pm at The Butts Park Arena, in what is expected to be and exciting and enthralling contest before the largest National League 1 crowd of the day.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
18th February 2014.
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18/02/2014 12:12
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It does seem to make a bit of a mockery of the need for clubs to have their best players available for selection, most particularly when they're in a relegation battle.
Having said that, do the players see a county game as a shop window where they can display their skills and abilities as a way to enhance and further their careers?
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