By Tom Little.
October 8 2013

including Coventry Rugby v Old Albanian.

Fixtures Week 6  - 12^th October 2013

Cinderford                      v           Henley Hawks

Coventry Rugby             v          Old Albanian

Esher                                v          Blackheath

Hull Ionians                     v          Blaydon

Loughborough St            v         Fylde

Richmond                        v          Doncaster Knights

Rosslyn Park                    v          Wharfedale

Tynedale                          v          Worthing Raiders    

Only two unbeaten sides remain-Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park. Will Week 6 see any change in the status quo? Arguably Doncaster have the more difficult fixture, although Wharfedale cannot be ruled out for causing an upset at Rosslyn Park. At the other end of the table winless Hull Ionians are urgently in need of a victory.

Leaders Doncaster Knights the only team with 5 try bonus points from their 5 wins visit Richmond. The Knights who had an almighty scare at home against Fylde need to improve considerably to meet a Richmond side now getting back into form after 2 successive victories. Richmond have an effective and settled pack and pace outside and must fancy their chances at home to open up the title race.

If you want excitement, free scoring and a definite lack of defensive qualities-then look no further than a visit to Loughborough Students as they take on Fylde. Having jointly scored 52 tries both sides play a fast offloading game with the ability to run tries in from all areas. In some ways the Students have been the surprise package of the season with their 4 out of 5 wins and are currently in 2^nd place, whilst Fylde are always capable of beating anyone in this league and almost sneaked a win at Doncaster on Saturday. Both sides are capable of winning this one but a safe bet it won’t be a nil nil draw.

Coventry Rugby are back at home as they look for their 3^rd successive home victory as they take on Old Albanian. The away side have yet to reach their standard of last season, whilst Coventry cannot afford to take their eye off this game if they want to get back on track. A more detailed preview of this game will follow the end of this general preview.

The contest between Esher and Blackheath is expected to be a close and hard fought battle, with Blackheath always capable of raising their game and now starting to rise up the league. Esher cannot expect an easy game, especially as they were somewhat shocked at their late loss away to Wharfedale. A home win is required for Esher to keep the pressure on leaders Doncaster.

Unbeaten Rosslyn Park are hosts to improving Wharfedale.  Although Park are finding it difficult to score tries, they are still managing to win and with Sam Katz in fine kicking form they will be home favourites. However,  Wharfedale pre-season favourites for relegation have been boosted by the return of Rob Baldwin from Leeds and their new spirit might see them get something out of this game.

The final 3 games all involve teams in the bottom half of the table.

Winless Hull Ionians cannot fancy facing Blaydon whose impressive pack and defence performance against Coventry put them to the sword. Despite being at home Hull Ionians have the ability to score tries but too often too little and too late. An expected win for Blaydon will leave Hull Ionians favourites for relegation, even at this early stage of the season.

Cinderford entertain Henley Hawks in the forest; with Cinderford finding it difficult to get wins with only one so far. They face a Henley side that has settled well in the new league but as yet have not won away. A very close game to call with too well matched sides; home advantage possibly providing the difference.

The final game sees Tynedal, host their visitors from the most southerly part of the league, namely Worthing Raiders. Although both sides have only won once Worthing do appear to have the ability to score plenty of tries but their defensive frailties have let them down. Another close game but in the end home advantage might just swing it.

Coventry Rugby v Old Albanian match preview.

This Saturday 12^th October sees Coventry Rugby entertain their visitors Old Albanian at the Butts Park Arena. Kick off as usual at 3 pm. A third successive record home crowd is expected as Coventry Rugby look for revenge after Old Albanian’s double over them last season and to avenge last week’s disappointing performance and result away to Blaydon.

Founded in 1924 and based in the City of St. Albans, Old Albanian have made steady progress through the leagues being promoted to National League 1 last season. Under the then Player/Coach James Shanahan they had an excellent season finishing in 5^th place on 95 points compared to Coventry’s 9^th place and 72 points.

Last season saw OA do the double over Coventry Rugby winning 20-3 at home in terrible conditions, but winning the away encounter 39-34 after coming from behind.

This season with the iconic James Shanahan moving on to Plymouth Albion, Old Albanian have struggled to match last season’s exploits, now under new Head Coach Andy Holloway. Their record shows only one win at home to Tynedale but high scoring defeats to Loughborough Students and Fylde, and a greater loss away to Esher, but last Saturday against unbeaten Rosslyn Park they were within 1 score of a draw.

Results that leave them in 9^th place on 9 points compared to Coventry’s 3^rd on 20 points ,yet Old Albanian despite these 4 losses are still only 1 try behind Coventry. No need for any danger of complacency as Old Albanian have recruited well, as well as retaining most of last season’s squad.

Apart from the departure of James Shanahan, OA have also lost the unavailable and influential centre Terry Adams, as well as winger Ollie Marchon. New recruits include experienced back Ian Vass and winger Will Smith, as well as another centre Gerhard Boshoff who had been playing in Italy.

There is still a strong nucleus of key players with scrum half Stefan Liebenberg and Chris May at No 10 and experienced Richard Gregg as fullback. Goal kicker Lawrence Rayner also as a No 10 and centre Johannes Lombaard complete the backs.

An effective pack has a good back row in Ollie Cooper-Miller as No 7 and Andrew Daish with lock Ross Hamilton. The front row has the improving Charles Hughes at prop with former Coventry player Brett McNamee as hooker.

A key game for both sides as Coventry Rugby need to forget about last week and concentrate on continuing their fine home form and to maintain pressure on the league leaders, as well as avenge last season’s double over them. Old Albanian need to get their own game on track after only 1 win.

Another exciting game is in prospect at the Butts Park Arena before what should be another excellent crowd-so please allow enough time to attend.

Kick off as normal is at 3 pm.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

8^th October 2013.

National League 1 week 6 match previews..

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 08/10/2013 16:23

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
08/10/2013 16:23

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