By Tom Little.
December 23 2012

Week 16 Results:-

Blackheath                 24             3      Esher

Coventry                     29           12      Cinderford

Fylde                          postponed        Wharfedale

Loughborough St       34            21     Cambridge

Macclesfield             postponed         Sedgley Park

Richmond                     24             5     Old Albanian

Rosslyn Park                 16           16    Ealing Tfs

Tynedale                       13           19    Blaydon

The final games for this calendar year saw the weather take a major part in the proceedings with the northern games at Fylde and Macclesfield called off due to waterlogged pitches, whilst the remaining games had to contend with driving rain and heavy pitches.

Of the top 4 sides only 2^nd placed Blaydon managed to win and are now just 2 points behind leaders Ealing Tfs. With 4^th place Esher losing the gap between these 4 and the chasing pack of 9 was still maintained as 5^th placed Old Albanian also lost.

The gap between the bottom 3 and the remainder widened to 12 points with the crucial game between Macclesfield and Sedgley Park being called off. Surely there is now no way back for the bottom 2 of Macclesfield and Cambridge.

As expected the closest game was at Rosslyn Park as the home side in third managed a draw with leaders Ealing. A late penalty try seemed to seal it for RP but a last minute penalty goal by leading goal kicker Tom Wheatcroft made the draw, which cuts their lead at the top to just 2 points.

Esher still in 4^th continued to stutter with their 2^nd consecutive loss this time to another London side Blackheath. In poor conditions the Blackheath side dominated and another try by Dave Allen now on 12 for the season and another late penalty try sealed it for the home side, who are now up to 6^th but still 9 points behind Esher.

Blaydon continue their long unbeaten run by their close run win away at Tynedale, in pouring rain their 3 tries proved decisive, and are now only 2 points behind leaders Ealing Tfs

Old Albanian surge up the table was halted as they were beaten away at Richmond, whose 2^nd half try bonus display proved decisive. A loss still leaves OA in 5^th place and still 8 points behind Esher.

It was strange game at Loughborough as the Students were 34 nil up within the half hour over Cambridge. A belated fight back especially in the 2^nd half almost saw Cambridge garner some important losing bonus points but it was not to be and they remain anchored in 15^th place with a possible points deduction to come.

The final game saw probably the best attacking play considering the conditions as Coventry stopped a run of 3 consecutive losses by beating Cinderford. A mixture of attacking flair, brilliant handling and an immense defence gave them the bonus point win over their 7th placed opponents.

The weather played a part this weekend but all credit for the games that went ahead as the players battled the elements. The league table shows how close it is at the top and between 5^th and 13th place there is still only 9 points separating the teams.

National league 1 now takes a seasonal break with the league recommencing on the 5^th January.

The usual match previews including that of Coventry Rugby’s visit to Cambridge will appear in 2 weeks’ time.

May myself on behalf of the Coventry Rugby press office wish all our supporters and fans a Peaceful Christmas and a great New Year both off and on the field.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

23^rd December 2012

Week 16 - 22nd December results round up.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 23/12/2012 15:33

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
23/12/2012 15:33

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zinzanh
23/12/2012 20:30

Thanks Tom, your input to us supporters is invaluable, a very merry Christmas to all on this site and to everyone involved with this great club of ours.Lets all work together for a great new year, C'MON COV.

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