By Tom Little.
March 2 2014

Week 24 Results 1^st March.

Blackheath                              32        24              Cinderford

Doncaster Knights                  24        19             Blaydon

Fylde                                         15        36             Coventry Rugby

Loughborough Students        17        18             Rosslyn Park

Old Albanian                            19        10             Henley Hawks

Tynedale                                   27          5             Esher

Wharfedale                              28         34            Richmond

Worthing Raiders                    34         17            Hull Ionians

Week 24 saw the top two sides Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park consolidate their lead despite somewhat unconvincing wins, with only Coventry Rugby of the chasing pack winning, albeit too late for them this season.

The other end of the table saw bonus point wins for Blackheath, Richmond, Worthing Raiders and Tynedale, which makes it look ominous for Henley Hawks and possibly Cinderford, despite their number of games in hand. A battle that will probably go down to the last Saturday of the season.

Leaders Doncaster Knights finally managed to beat a Blaydon side, whose effective rolling maul saw another brace of tries for No 8 Jason Smithson. Despite a 19-7 half-time lead, Doncaster had to defend at some length but managed to hold out for the bonus point win. A win that increases their lead over Rosslyn Park to 8 points.

Likewise Rosslyn Park had their own troubles in subduing a Loughborough Students side whose performance belied their recent poor form. Despite plenty of possession in both halves by the Students, the greater finishing threat by Park, especially by winger Joseph Ajuwa proved the difference coupled with their impressive defensive display. A win that leaves Rosslyn Park now 8 points behind leaders Doncaster.

In arguably Coventry Rugby’s best away display of the season if not of any of the teams in the top half, they had a well-deserved  bonus point win  and double over Fylde, a win which took them into third position above Fylde. The dominant Coventry pack provided the backbone and platform for the visitors 5 tries and although a 2^nd half yellow card gave Fylde hope, it was Coventry Rugby who finished the stronger with two late tries. A win that is too late for their promotion hopes but will them having to meet Doncaster and Rosslyn Park before the end of season Coventry Rugby could hold the key to whom is promoted.

Esher found their long trip came to nothing as another dominant pack Tynedale gave the away side a torrid afternoon. Once again the home side’s effective and punishing rolling maul provided the platform as centre/cum flanker Ben Frankland got another brace of tries, proved the basis for another bonus point win. This loss drops Esher down to 5^th place but gives Tynedale a cushion of 8 points above the relegation places although with Cinderford having 3 games in hand it is too early to say they are safe.

Another side now feeling a lot safer is Richmond whose late try gave them a bonus point win at Wharfedale. The game edged to and fro with the winning try by Chris Davies coming at the end of a tremendous Richmond pack surge, and win that takes them 14 points ahead of danger with still a game in hand. Surely Richmond are now safe and Wharfedale are safely ensconced in 7^th place.

Old Albanian duly despatched a somewhat desperate Henley Hawks looking for at least a point. A close and scrappy game was finally settled by a high penalty count against the visitors with Lawrence Rayner taking full advantage with his three deciding penalties. A win that leaves Old Albanian safely in the top half of the table but leaves Henley Hawks in  the second relegation place and 9 points from safety although with a game in hand. Not quite in freefall but Henley need to upset the form book if they want to survive this season.

Another bonus point win for Blackheath saw them surely achieve safety as they beat a Cinderford side looking desperately for a win. Once again another brace of tries from Dave Allen set the home side on their way as their pack finally took control. Two late Cinderford tries gave a flattering end to the score-line but this loss leaves Cinderford still in the relegation zone and 6 points from safety although with 3 games in hand. With all the teams just above them finding some winning form Cinderford may have to rely of other teams results to save their status.

The final game saw a crucial bonus point win for Worthing Raiders over bottom side Hull Ionians. The return of key players helped the home side’s cause but a late Hull Ionians fight-back still caused a few nervous moments. An essential win for Worthing that moves them 6 points from danger but still with the need to find some better form to meet the more difficult challenges coming up.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

2^nd March 2014.

National league 1 week 24 - 1st March 2014 results round up.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 02/03/2014 19:39

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
02/03/2014 19:39

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