By Tom Little.
March 11 2014

with week 2 catch up fixtures previews for Saturday 15th March.

Week 25 results round up - 8^th March.

Blaydon                     27         34         Old Albanian

Cinderford                32         31         Worthing Raiders

Coventry Rugby       33         14         Loughborough Students

Esher                         14         23         Doncaster Knights

Henley Hawks          52         22        Wharfedale

Hull Ionians              37         24        Fylde

Richmond                 31         31        Blackheath

Rosslyn Park             31         11       Tynedale

With both Doncaster Knights and Rosslyn Park winning, albeit both without bonus points, Rosslyn Park are rapidly running out of games to catch the leaders up, but with both sides having to meet each other and Coventry Rugby yet to play both of them this title decider could go right to the end of the season.    

It is even more nerve wracking  in the battle to avoid the last two relegation places, with still 8 teams trying to  find the escape hatch. The battle was opened up on Saturday with bonus point wins by both Cinderford and Henley Hawks  as well as a creditable 2 away points from Worthing Raiders, results which mean there are only 6 points separating 5 teams at the bottom.  

Leaders Doncaster Knights had a difficult and feisty battle away at Esher, whose scrum gave them a torrid time, Doncaster’s cause was not helped by Dougie Flockhart in urgent need of boxing lessons as his missed haymaker resulted in a yellow card. Once again the defensive prowess of the Knights gave them the edge as they held out for the win.

Rosslyn Park kept their pressure up on the leaders with their home win over Tynedale who are still battling to keep clear of the relegation zone. Somewhat of an error strewn game saw Park struggle to score in the first half, despite poor discipline by their visitors. A late surge gave Rosslyn Park the win but without the bonus point leaving the gap between them and Doncaster still at 8 points. Tynedale despite their recent good form are still only three points away from danger, so still have everything to play for.

Coventry Rugby consolidated their third place with a bonus point victory over Loughborough Students now on a losing run of 6 games, which has brought the Students closer to the drop zone  now only 5 points away. Always in control Coventry Rugby’s forward pressure and defensive prowess proved decisive despite a Students injury time surge , when Coventry were down 1 man, which gave a somewhat flattering look to the score-line. The game was marred by a large number of penalties given away mainly by Coventry which at time disjointed their efforts.

It was a relief all round as the flood waters subsided and Henley Hawks took full advantage with an 8 try win over Wharfedale. Helped a by a couple of London Welsh loanees Henley  at last got their running attacking game plan working with 6 first half tries. A Dale fight-back in the second half soon fizzled out. A win that still leaves the home side in one of the relegation places but now only 4 points from safety, still with a game in hand.

It was another crucial game in the Forest as Cinderford finally managed to play a home game, with a bonus point win to boot over fellow strugglers Worthing Raiders. Yet a first half lead  by Worthing soon evaporated as the home side put more and more pressure on in the second half, but still needed a late try to clinch the win. The Raider’s two bonus points may prove important at the end of the season as it just keeps them above the danger zone, whilst Cinderford stay in 14^th place with still three games in hand.

It was a shock on Humberside, as already relegated Hull Ionians had a bonus point victory over 4^th placed Fylde. For the second week running Fylde struggled to come to terms with their opponents pack and scrum, which was well on top. With Isaac Green kicking 5 penalties this always gave the home side the edge as they deserved their moment of glory, a loss that leaves Fylde now 6 points behind Coventry.

It was honours all round at the 150^th anniversary game between Richmond and Blackheath ended up as a bonus point draw for both sides, before the largest crowd of the day. A result that conveniently makes both sides virtually safe from relegation  although Richmond needed a late late try to get the draw. Once again another brace  from Dave Allen set Blackheath on their way-what will they do when he retires?

The final game saw another surprise result this time as Old Albanian travelled to and beat Blaydon. Old Albanian have recently been finding some form from last season but they were soon in trouble being behind 27-10. Blaydon, whose own recent form has been poor took their eye of the game allowing their visitors in for two late tries which gave the visitors the bonus point win. Somewhat of a dead rubber as both sides are now effectively safe from relegation.

 

CATCH UP WEEK 2 FIXTURES SATURDAY 15^TH MARCH 2014 MATCH  PREVIEWS

Fixtures 15^th March

Cinderford              v       Richmond

Henley Hawks        v       Blaydon

Only two fixtures this catch up weekend, with Coventry Rugby sitting it out having no game. However still plenty of interest in the remaining two games as it involves three teams trying to avoid relegation .Both Cinderford and Henley Hawks had bonus point home wins last Saturday and they will both be looking for the same this Saturday, as such wins will see them move out of the relegation zone and heap even more pressure on those teams just above them.

Cinderford after their nerve wracking fight-back in beating Worthing Raiders have another difficult home fixture with Richmond. Richmond still need the win to make sure of safety but with Cinderford having a further two catch up games after this one they still need the win, to move clear of the danger zone. Another close game is expected but home advantage should make Cinderford slight favourites for the win.

Likewise at Henley with Henley Hawks needing to beat Blaydon  as this is their one remaining catch fixture. Until the win on Saturday the Hawks  form has been poor which has seen them slip into the relegation zone. They still need the win to take them out of it, and with a slightly augmented team they should have the confidence to beat a Blaydon team whose own  recent form has been poor.

Another home win is expected which will set up Week 26 fixtures on the 22^nd March nicely as this battle to avoid relegation continues.

 

 

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

10^th March 2014