By Tom Little.
November 5 2012

10th November match previews

Week 10 - 3rd/4th November match results

Cambridge             29         51              Esher

Cinderford              36         23             Wharfedale

Ealing Tfs                 25         31            Old Albanian

Macclesfield            15         19           Richmond

Rosslyn Park            52         29           Fylde

Sedgley Park             8          24           Blaydon

Tynedale                   17        37           Loughborough Students

Coventry Rugby       13        10           Blackheath

A weekend of two major surprises one at the top and one at the bottom of the league, but it was the second half performances of the winning teams, either consolidating their first half endeavours or finally seeing off their opponents that provide the overriding talking points.

With a third of the season now completed three separate pods are now visible in the league table. There is the top 4 of Rosslyn Park, Ealing, Blaydon and Esher, just separated by 6 points, closely followed by a group of 7 separated by 9 points all struggling to get into the promised land of the top 4, but always capable of beating one another.

Finally there is the red zone now consisting of 5 teams, fighting to avoid the relegation zone of three and again just separated by 9 points.

Results of the week must be Old Albanian lowering previously unbeaten Ealing’s colours with a tremendous 2^nd half fight back and bonus point win at Ealing. A win orchestrated once again by iconic player coach James Shanahan. There is no substitute for experience in this league, a result that drops Ealing into 2^nd place for the first time this season, and leaves the victors comfortable in mid table.

Rosslyn Park replace Ealing as league leaders on points difference following a comprehensive win over Fylde, in what can only be described as a defensive horror story. Rosslyn Park managed to score 5 first half tries, but let Fylde in for 3.The game was in effect won in the second half as Rosslyn Park put their usual defensive prowess back into gear and squeezed the life out of Fylde.

Blaydon maintain their opposition to the London sides in the top 4 with a hard fought victory over Sedgley Park, it was three 2^nd
half tries that saw them through as they took their chances which Sedgley Park didn’t, which leaves Park looking nervously over their shoulders towards the relegation zone.

The final member of the gang of 4 Esher, had a fright in the first half over bottom club Cambridge, but the second half saw the power and Championship experience come to the fore as they scored over 50 points, although Cambridge did deserve their try bonus point.

The mid table clash of Cinderford over Wharfedale saw another home bonus point win for the Foresters as they lead the charge into trying to break into the top 4, yet it was closer than the score suggests as it took a late interception  to put the result beyond  doubt.

Another mid table clash this time on Sunday before a disappointing crowd, on a very heavy pitch, saw Coventry get the winning try just 5 minutes from time from 6^th placed Blackheath. This was the fourth game in a row that Coventry have been involved in late drama-not too good for the blood pressure.  

There was a surprising result at Tynedale as the home side lost again to relegation zone team Loughborough Students, now on a run of 3 wins in their last 4 games. With Dale seemingly in freefall the Students are now only 2 points behind Sedgley Park and 4 behind Tynedale as both these teams  are being sucked into the relegation fight.

The final game saw a brave 2^nd half fight back by Macclesfield against Richmond some to nothing apart from a losing bonus point, as Richmond held on for the win.

Well it had to happen, a defeat for previous leaders Ealing, a defeat that gives the chasing packs hope that if they can get themselves out the cycle of win one lose one,so they can mount a creditable challenge for the top.

Week 11 - 10^th November fixtures and match previews

Fixtures 10^th November

Blackheath             v        Rosslyn Park

Blaydon                   v       Ealing Tfs

Esher                        v      Coventry Rugby

Fylde                         v      Macclesfield

Loughborough St    v      Sedgley Park

Old Albanian            v      Cinderford

Richmond                 v      Tynedale

Wharfedale              v       Cambridge

Once again a number of key games affecting top and bottom of the league. Third placed Blaydon now on a run of 4 wins face second placed Ealing Tfs. The home side only having lost once at home must fancy that they have the all-round armoury to beat Ealing. Last week’s loss by Ealing does give hope to the rest of the league that they can be beaten-a result that is too close to call.

Another London derby sees two old adversaries Blackheath and Rosslyn Park fight it out. With Park now installed as league leaders they will not want to give this position up without a fight, and Blackheath are always difficult to beat at home-another one too close to call.

There is an intriguing contest on offer in Surrey as Esher face Coventry Rugby. Fourth placed Esher using their Championship experience have the ability to score heavily even if their defence is somewhat suspect. Coventry with one the best defensive records in this league will prove a hard opponent.

The north-west game between Fylde and relegation zone club Macclesfield, should be on paper no contest, but we have already seen that Macclesfield are no pushovers, and Fylde have been more fragile this season than last. In the end the speed and off-loading game of the home backs should prove decisive.

Loughborough Students still in the red zone will be hoping to build on their recent form which has seen three wins in four, must fancy that they can put pressure on Sedgley Park. A win for the Students will put them out of the relegation area being replaced by Park.

It is worrying times for Tynedale after 5 straight losses which has seen them sucked close to the relegation zone. They face the daunting trip to Richmond who are looking themselves to get closer to the top 4. A home win should be on the cards.

A real mid table clash sees Old Albanian face a tricky home game with 5^th placed Cinderford. The Foresters have already should that they are a force to be reckoned with this season but OA will be buoyed by their away success at Ealing, and provided that complacency doesn’t occur a win for the home side is on the cards.

The final game sees bottom club Cambridge face the difficult trip to Wharfedale. Dale whose results have been somewhat inconsistent have performed better than some of their recent results suggest, however the same could be said of Cambridge. It is hard to see that Cambridge will get anything out of this game another defeat; their fifth in a row will leave them favourites for relegation.

Another Saturday of close calls and possibly surprises will be the order of the day making this league the most difficult to call.

A more detailed of match preview of Esher v Coventry Rugby will be available later on in the week.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

5^th November 2012

Week 10 results round up together with week 11...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 05/11/2012 20:09

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
05/11/2012 20:09

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