By Tom Little
March 7 2011

This Saturday at BPA, kick off 3pm, sees Coventry Rugby face Launceston in their National Division 1 fixture. Another chance for Coventry to get their first double of the season, after last week’s close encounter at Wharfedale.

When they last met in the league Coventry beat them 36-23, Coventry’s first away win of the season, and no doubt Launceston will be looking to avenge that defeat.  Launceston had their own financial meltdown in the summer, having to go into administration, and therefore had to start the season with 20 points deducted.

All credit to them on the field , under experienced player coach Mal Roberts, as they have more than made up this deficit and are currently on 21 points having won 6 and drawn 1, although they are still bottom of the league.

Like Coventry they have found it difficult to win away from home, but they have had some narrow losses to London Scottish, Barking and Cambridge. Last Saturday they lost  by just  2 points to highflying Macclesfield, so it is important that Coventry don’t take them too lightly, as their league position understates their true ability.

In winger Richard Bright and centre Richard Westren, they have high scoring players, and with Pale Nonu they have a hard tackling centre. Tom Rawlings as captain leads the backrow.

Another high scoring game is expected as Coventry have scored 16 tries in 3 games and are on target to get 100 for the season. Coventry will be needing to put behind them their defensive lapses over the last 2 games and get their push back on towards the top half of the table they deserve.

Weekend games  preview 12^th March

Barking          v      Tynedale

Blaydon          v      Wharfedale

Cambridge      v      London Scottish

Cinderford       v     Rosslyn Park

Coventry          v     Launceston

Macclesfield    v     Blackheath

Sedgley Park    v    Redruth

Stourbridge      v    Otley

Another full fixture list with key games at both ends of the table. With London Scottish now leading Barking by 1 point, they have a tricky away trip to the somewhat stuttering Cambridge, but the Scots do seem to have the ability to pick up winning bonus points as they go for their 20th successive win. Barking have recently found it difficult to get the winning bonus points and have a tricky home fixture against a resurgent Tynedale.

As usual there are more interesting games affecting the bottom 9 of the table. Blaydon / Wharfedale is  perhaps too close to call, as is indeed Cinderford / Rosslyn Park, with a loss by Cinderford could bring them back into the bottom 3.

Bottom side Launceston visit Coventry, who cannot afford to take them too lightly.

Last week’s excellent wins for Sedgley Park and Redruth, sets up their meeting nicely, with Redruth having the chance to move away from the bottom 3, again one too close to call.

Finally the meeting between a recently inconsistent Stourbridge and an Otley side that desperately needs to win, could give Otley a glimmer of hope or put Stourbridge back in to the scramble for safety.

Weekend results roundup 5^th march

Blackheath           31               25   Cambridge

Blaydon                20               23   Barking

Launceston           27               29   Macclesfield

London  Scottish   29               11  Cinderford

Otley                     24               38   Tynedale

Redruth                 36               32   Stourbridge

Rosslyn Park         22               23   Sedgley Park

Wharfedale            37               32   Coventry  

Barking were replaced at the top of the league by London Scottish by 1 point, as Barking could only manage a 4 point win over Blaydon, although they have a game in hand. A 19^th successive win for London Scottish and another winning bonus point put them marginal favourites for the title and promotion.

For excitement and 12 tries in all, the Wharfedale/Coventry encounter would excite the neutrals if not the defensive coaches.

Best result of the day must be Sedgley Park’s away win at Rosslyn Park, closely followed by  Redruth’s home win over the inconsistent Stourbridge. This result brings Redruth to within 2 points of 11^th position, which emphasises how close it is at the bottom.

Otley’s home loss to Tynedale keeps them firmly in 15^th spot, but with  2 of the 3 relegation spots  too close to call, it looks like it will go down to the last weekend of the season, if supporters and coaches alike can stand the pressure.

Coventry Rugby press office

Coventry Rugby V Launceston previews and results roundup

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 07/03/2011 17:18

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
07/03/2011 17:18

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