By Tom Little.
October 21 2012

Week 8 - 20th October results roundup

Blaydon               38           29         Old Albanian(s)

Cambridge            7           26          Fylde

Cinderford          34           19          Blackheath

Coventry             20           20          Richmond

 Ealing Tfs            26          21          Esher

Macclesfield       24          31           Loughborough Students

Rosslyn Park       63          20           Tynedale

Sedgley Park       16          18           Wharfedale

Once again this league continues to provide close matches and this week especially, injury time or late scores were the order of the day to get the win or draw, none so more than at Coventry , before the season’s record National League 1 attendance as firstly an injury time Coventry penalty to win the game was counteracted by an even later one by Richmond to achieve the draw, which was probably a fair reflection of the game.

Leaders Ealing Tfs, although not able to get the bonus point win over neighbours Esher had to thank the finishing prowess of leading try scorer Phil Chesters, including one in the 74^th minute for a 4 point lead at the top.

Another late penalty, this time by Tom Davidson for Wharfedale at Sedgley Park, gave them the win, in which match both well matched packs largely cancelled each other out.

In the bottom basement zone Macclesfield lost to a resurgent Loughborough Students, whose two late tries by their back row players gave them their second win in a row and lifted them into 14^th place. It is now looking somewhat grim for Macclesfield who need to find some form from somewhere.

Second placed Rosslyn Park maintained their chase of leaders Ealing, whose lead now down to 4 points with a 9 try demolition of visitors Tynedale, and this despite the home side losing three men to yellow cards, and having to play for 5 minutes with just 12 men in the 2nd half. Once again the experience of back row Hugo Ellis proved crucial, as again Tynedale failed to travel well.

Pride of place this week must go to unfancied Blaydon whose bonus point win over Old Albanian(s) lifted them into the heady heights of 3rd place. Yet this game was not without drama as Blaydon let go a 21 point lead to be almost pipped at the close. As most teams are finding in this league, you need to play for the whole 80 minutes.

It was their first win in 4 as Cinderford  found their form again, in beating Blackheath, now on a run of three consecutive defeats, which has somewhat dented their title aspirations. With no fewer than 5 tries scored through driving mauls from both sides, a good 1st half performance was negated by the home side’s 2nd half resurgence with three unanswered tries, including another late one, which gave somewhat of a gloss to the final score.

The final game of the Saturday saw yet another loss for Cambridge now back in 15th place on just   10 points as Fylde, now finding some of the missing form from last season, managed a bonus point win. Despite a hard fought battle by Cambridge it was the red card of Danny Hunter with over a quarter of the game to go that gave Fylde the impetus to win, including another try for the ever green lock Paul Arnold.

The over-riding lesson from this week’s results was that you cannot take any result for granted.

Week 9 27th October fixtures with match previews 

Blackheath                  v       Cambridge

Esher                            v      Cinderford

Fylde                            v      Coventry

Loughborough St       v      Blaydon

Old Albanian(s)          v      Sedgley Park

Richmond                   v      Rosslyn Park

Tynedale                     v      Macclesfield

Wharfedale                v      Ealing Tfs  

Once again another set of important fixtures and affecting all parts of the league table, top bottom and middle.

Leaders Ealing Tfs, face the long trek to the north-west to face Wharfedale, who themselves are up to 6th place. On the face of it another fixture difficult to forecast, but Ealing have shown their credentials this season with a more pragmatic approach winning the close results and never letting go of their overall lead. Even with home advantage the power and overall prowess of Ealing should prove crucial.

There is another intriguing London derby as well organised and drilled draw specialists Richmond host Rosslyn Park. Five straight wins have put Park clear in 2nd place from the chasing pack, but the home side cannot be fully discounted from providing a surprise.

It is a top 5 clash as Esher entertain Cinderford, whose win over Blackheath put them back on track. With both sides able to play an open style but also with abrasive packs, it is perhaps the side which is more dominant up front which will decide the outcome.

The mid table game between Fylde and their visitors Coventry should be another close affair. Fylde after a stuttering start have now posted their 2nd win in a row, whilst Coventry Rugby are unbeaten in three games. With both sides having recently beaten Cambridge as a form guide, it may come down to who has the more dominant pack.

Blackheath, who have lost their last three games, should face a less onerous task as they face Cambridge at Rectory Field. Cambridge, now firmly entrenched in the relegation zone, should find the power of the home pack, especially the back row far too powerful to spring a surprise.

On the face of it Blaydon in 3rd place shouldn’t find it too difficult to beat the home side Loughborough Students. However with two wins in a row including last week’s defeat of Macclesfield the Students should have enough confidence to face the north-easterners, as they attempt to get out of the relegation area.

Old Albanian(s) meet Sedgley Park at St.Albans, with both sides striving to put daylight between them and the bottom three. Sedgley Park will feel aggrieved at losing to a last minute penalty to Wharfedale, whilst Old Albanians will be confident after coming from behind to give Blaydon a closer contest than  expected.

The final game sees two teams in the bottom half of the league facing each other, with Tynedale overall favourites to use their home advantage to confirm Macclesfield still back in last place.

A more detailed Coventry Rugby v Fylde preview will appear shortly on the website.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

Week 8 results roundup with week 9 - 27th October match...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 21/10/2012 20:27

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21/10/2012 20:27

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