By Tom Little
September 1 2015

...Saturday 5th September 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Wharfedale.

Welcome back to the first preview of the season, in what promises to be one of the most exciting and open contests for both ends of the table that National League 1 has ever seen. Year on year the quality of the squads are improving with the vast majority of teams playing an open and exciting brand of rugby football. Whether the impact of two more 3G pitches will have an effect on results or even injuries remains to be seen, but NL1 seem to be leading the way in such surfaces. 

Fixtures Saturday 5^th September 2015

Blaydon                          v       Blackheath

Cinderford                     v       Darlington Mowden Park

Coventry Rugby            v       Wharfedale

Esher                              v        Ampthill

Fylde                              v        Loughborough Students

Hull  Ionians                 v        Hartpury College

Plymouth Albion         v        Richmond

Rosslyn Park                 v       Henley Hawks  

Blaydon leads the list of fixtures as they entertain Blackheath at home. With both sides firmly in mid-table last season and with no significant changes in both team’s squads a close contest is expected. An experienced abrasive home pack just gives Blaydon the edge as Blackheath face their longest trip of the season.

Cinderford only just escaped relegation last season due to Old Albanian’s admin mistake. Pre-season has seen them lose some experienced players in Jack Adams and Nev Codlin, whose loss may prove too big a hurdle as the Foresters face Darlington Mowden Park. Park themselves have lost key players, but have recruited well and may prove the surprise team of the league, to match their future ambitions. Another close affair might just go to the visitors.

It’s an intriguing contest in prospect at the BPA as one of the pre-season favourites Coventry Rugby take on Wharfedale. Dale are celebrating their 20^th continuous season in NL1 and after a few narrow escapes in previous years were well away from the danger zone last season. A largely settled side Wharfedale don’t always travel well and Coventry Rugby should be stronger in all departments. A full preview of this game will follow.

Esher, who flattered to deceive last season by only finishing 10^th,have league newcomers Ampthill and District as their visitors. Ampthill have recruited well, especially in their pack which shows a great deal of experience, which should ensure a fair amount of possession, whether they have the backs to deliver remains to be seen. Another settled side should see Esher just edge a close victory.

Fylde entertain Loughborough Students, in what should be a fast and furious encounter. The Students have struggled over the past two seasons with the loss of their better players, and with Fylde again fielding a virtually unchanged team they should prove at least successful at home.

League newcomers Hull Ionians should make a better showing than two seasons ago with their more settled and experienced side. However in facing Hartpury College, a team that surprised many last season, they will need to be on top of their game to win. College on their part have lost some experienced players but have also recruited well and if can settle quickly may just edge it over Ionians.

Another league newcomer, this time Plymouth Albion, relegated from the Championship meet Richmond. Albion, under Graham Dawe have had to rebuild almost the whole of their squad after relegation, and it may need time to settle getting back to a largely semi-professional basis. In Richmond they face an experienced settled side who on their day can match anyone. A step too far for Albion so early in the season I think.

The final game sees another of the pre-season favourites Rosslyn Park meet newly promoted Henley Hawks. Park have recruited well adding even more quality to an already excellent squad and should prove too powerful all round for the Hawks to worry them too much. The home side’s 3G pitch might also play a part in giving the home side a further advantage.

COVENTRY RUGBY V WHARFEDALE MATCH PREVIEW.

This coming Saturday 5^th September sees Coventry Rugby entertain Wharfedale at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3pm, in the first league game of the season. Before what is expected to be a record opening day crowd for Coventry Rugby in NL1, the home side will be looking for an impressive start to their league campaign. Founded in 1923 Wharfedale hold the record of being in NL1 for a record 20 consecutive seasons, although to be fair 3 seasons ago they flirted with relegation but finished 9^th and 11^th for the last two seasons. Tom McGee has once again returned to the club from Yorkshire(Leeds) Carnegie in place of Head Coach Jon Feeley.

Last season Coventry Rugby did the double over Wharfedale winning the away fixture 17-13 and the home fixture at the BPA by 53-26, after leading at half-time by 43-5, a defensive lapse in the second half that they cannot afford to replicate on Saturday.

Once again Dale have a very settled squad with a few key additions with prop forward Riccardo Cano coming from Chinnor, Maxime Labasse a French winger and experienced lock George Hedgley from DMP.

Scrum half James Doherty, who Coventry Rugby will remember for his scything breaks and feisty manner pairs up once again with fly-half and goal-kicker James Guy.

Although impressive flanker James Tyson is out injured Dale can count on iconic flanker Rob Baldwin, back after injury with Dan Solomi also available. Josh Burridge  is an effective flanker and with lock or backrowers Adam Howard  and Alex Powell also retained Dale have an impressive back row.

More experience is found in the front row with hooker Dan Stockdale and props Joe Altham, Matt Beesley and Chris Steel.

There is some speed amongst the backs with Oli Cicognini on the wing and the elusive Josh Prell either on the wing or at full-back. Cover at half-back from Phillip Woodhead and Will Bell at fly-half. Despite centre Tom Davidson being injured there is further speed in the centres with Lloyd Davies, Cameron Hudson, Huw Morgan and Andrew Foulds, who have all been retained from last season.

This is a game that Coventry Rugby should win but they know from last season that if Wharfedale are given a chance of a counter-attack they have the ability to score quick tries. 

The game at the Butts Park Arena will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 5^th September. Coventry Rugby need your support to make this is a season to remember  for all the right reasons.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

2^nd September 2015

Week 1/round 1 national league 1 match previews...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 01/09/2015 12:15

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01/09/2015 12:15

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