Coventry
National League 1 re-arranged fixtures Saturday 9th February
By Tom Little.
February 4 2013
with match previews including Coventry Rugby v Rosslyn Park.
Fixtures Saturday 9th February 2013:
Blaydon v Blackheath
Cinderford v Tynedale
Coventry v Rosslyn Park
Ealing Tfs v Richmond
Fylde v Wharfedale
Macclesfield v Sedgley Park
Old Albanian v Esher
Seven re-arranged games this Saturday with two of the games going back to postponements on the 22nd December with the remaining five from the wipe out of fixtures on the 19th January. Most interesting is the game between the two of the teams in the nether regions of the league as they both try and avoid crossing the River Styx.
Macclesfield in 15th place entertain 14th place Sedgley Park in a north-west derby. Macclesfield, whose brave performance at Rosslyn Park still saw them ship 7 tries, whilst Sedgley Park despite a committed effort scoring three tries against Esher, didn’t have the fire power to subdue the Esher pack. A close contest is expected between both sides not quite in the category of winner takes all but both sides need the win to put any sort of pressure on those teams Wharfedale and Tynedale just above them. In this league momentum is all important but with both sides only having won once in 8 outings form wise there is nothing to choose.
With bottom side Cambridge without a game a win for either Macclesfield or Sedgley Park can put pressure on Wharfedale and Tynedale just ahead of the relegation zone. Wharfedale face a difficult trip to their north-west neighbours Fylde yet they must be buoyed by their performance at Blaydon gaining 2 losing bonus points, despite that they last won on the 24th November. Fylde whose poor away form belies their excellent home form should be strong enough despite their heavy loss away at Cinderford last week.
Just above Wharfedale lie Tynedale who face an equally difficult away trip to Cinderford. Tynedale despite only winning twice in the last two months have been involved in some close battles even in defeat, but now they need to win to put behind them any lingering relegation fears. Cinderford have an excellent home record and having put 50 points over Fylde last week should make the Foresters favourites.
The remaining 4 fixtures all involve the top 4 sides all meeting potentially difficult opponents.
Ealing Tfs face another of those London derbies this time against Richmond. Ealing now unbeaten in 8 games showed a defensive quality in beating Blackheath last week, face a Richmond side whose own defensive prowess was to the fore in beating Cambridge. Having only lost once in their last 6 games, including an excellent away victory over Esher Richmond cannot be discounted for providing a surprise to the league leaders.
Second placed Blaydon after a close but still a bonus point win over Wharfedale have another home fixture this time with Blackheath. Despite having lost their last 2 games Blackheath held leaders Ealing to one score and had enough possession to have won. Another closely matched contest which should go to the home side provided they can keep a full complement on the field.
Third placed Esher travel to 6th place Old Albanian, who still might be reeling after letting slip a 40-7 lead over Loughborough Students. Until that defeat OA had been showing good form but with Esher having won their last 4 games and their overall power game with their pack and finishing prowess should just make them favourites.
The final game sees Coventry Rugby entertain 4th placed Rosslyn Park as the home side go for a record 5th win in a row. The best defence against the 2nd highest try scorers-well something has to give.
Coventry rugby v Rosslyn Park match preview.
This Saturday 9th February at home at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3 pm sees Coventry Rugby meet Rosslyn Park in the re-arranged fixture postponed from the 19th January. Under Director of Rugby Shaun Justice and Head Coach Jan Bonney Rosslyn Park are currently in 4th place on 68 points with 13 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats. Steady improvement has been shown in their results over the past three seasons finishing 7th, then 5th last season and currently 4th. Earlier in the season after a run of 9 successive wins they even flirted with top spot.
Their results since then have been mixed losing to Blaydon, Wharfedale and Cinderford but the last two weeks has seen them score 150 points in beating Cambridge and Macclesfield. Second only to leaders Ealing as the league’s top points and try scorers they face a Coventry side well ensconced as having the best defensive record.
Park have no fewer than 3 players in the list of top try scorers led by former Dragons and Wasps No 8 Hugo Ellis on 20, with wingers Neville Edwards on 12 and Charles Broughton on 11.They have Ross Laidlaw as a goal kicking expert at No10 with former Loughborough Student Sam Catz as an equally good replacement. More experience and pace is shown in the backs with fullback Ed Lewis-Pratt and centres Dom Shabbo and Paul Mackey, as well as former London Scottish No 9 Matt Heeks.
The forwards are also experienced with the try scoring machine Hugo Ellis and locks Richard Boyle and Will Bowley. The back row is also boosted by Harry Rowland.
Rosslyn Park are an all-round side capable of strong defence but also have a penchant for try scoring if they can get into their stride. Coventry Rugby will be wishing to avenge their disappointing display earlier in the season when they lost 27-15 despite having a number of try scoring opportunities.
An exciting game is in prospect in this re-arranged fixture here at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3 pm on Saturday 9th February as Coventry Rugby face one of their oldest rivals. Both teams have plenty to play for as Coventry go for a record 5th win in a row and put pressure on 5th place, whilst Park will be looking to overtake their closest rivals Blaydon or Esher.
A record crowd is expected for this traditional fixture of Coventry Rugby v Rosslyn Park.
The Coventry side will be published as soon as available later on in the week.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
4th February 2013.
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04/02/2013 18:10
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i have been looking at the structure of the match previews and the more detailed ones for the Coventry games,at the moment i am issuing them as one press release, but in view of the length involved i wonder if they should be split say to separate releases one for the general match previews and one for the more detailed coventry preview.
Let me know your comments and what you prefer, there is little extra work involved in separating them out for me just more work for the webmasters!
PS you can either post on here or if you prefer send me a private message, or indeed a direct email to the address quoted in the match day programme.
tom little
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:05:08:58:02 by tom snr.
By the way, thanks for your previews. They are very useful and help to set up the expectations and awareness.
tom little
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