Photo By Nick Meredith.

By Tom Little.
March 23 2014

Saturday 22nd March 2014.

Results Week 26 - Round 26 22^nd March.

Blackheath                               22         18            Henley Hawks

Doncaster Knights                  25         10            Old Albanian

Esher                                         30         38            Rosslyn Park

Fylde                                         35          29           Cinderford

Loughborough Students        25          15          Hull Ionians

Tynedale                                   36          35         Coventry Rugby

Wharfedale                              13          37         Blaydon

Worthing Raiders                    28          36         Richmond

A week of gap narrowing at the top together with second half fight-backs at both ends of the table with bottom half wins for just Loughborough Students and Tynedale, yet  losing bonus points for Worthing Raiders, Cinderford and Henley Hawks. These results effectively brings it down to 5 teams, those left trying to avoid the remaining 2 relegation spots with them only separated by 5 points, although Wharfedale might still be looking nervously over their shoulders if their poor form continues.

Doncaster Knights duly despatched their visitors Old Albanian but were unable to get the bonus point.  Another workmanlike display for the home side but try as they could they were unable to get the bonus point try helped in no small matter by an excellent Old Albanian defence. A win that reduces Doncaster’s lead over Rosslyn Park to just  7 points.

Rosslyn Park for their part did manage the bonus point win away to Esher, but they had to come from behind   but once again showed their mettle with some late winning tries. Poor discipline from both sides, but especially for Park made it a juicy encounter as the importance of the occasion got to both sides. The late surge saw Park home which makes next week’s encounter between Doncaster and Rosslyn Park virtually a decider for the one promotion spot.

It was another late late show from relegation troubled Tynedale as they came from 35-17 down to sneak a win over Coventry Rugby. Some tactical changes in the second half went against Coventry as the home side started to use their most effective weapon, the 12 man driving maul which brought them 2 late tries once again scored by the ubiquitous Ben Frankland. The two losing points for Coventry Rugby still keeps them clear of Fylde in third place.

Fylde kept the pressure on Coventry with their own 5 point haul in beating relegation threatened Cinderford. Fylde went ahead by 12 early in the second half but Cinderford fought back and secured their second bonus point in injury time, and with Cinderford still with 2 games in hand these points should make them favourites to survive.

No such good fortune for Worthing Raiders as they were outgunned by an impressive Richmond pack especially their front and back row as they took control in the second half. Yet Worthing had scored 3 impressive tries by half-time to give them a lead by 21-10. Richmond then upped their game allowing their pacey backs to show their skills, although it was fitting that the back row scored the clinching tries. It is now looking ominous for Worthing unless they can quickly find some winning form, as next week’s encounter with Henley Hawks takes on monumental importance for both sides.

At the Rectory Field it was a division saving win for the home side Blackheath as they fought off a strong challenge from another relegation threatened side in Henley Hawks. Behind for most of the game it was only in the last 10 minutes that Blackheath took control and fitting that Dave Allen scored the winning try, what on earth will Blackheath do without Allen if he finally decides to retire. The one losing bonus point for Henley still leaves them in 13^th place being equal on points with Worthing, and as both sides meet next week perhaps the decider for whom is going to be relegated.

Loughborough Students finally managed a win over a charged up Hull Ionians side, which lifts them  to 11^th place but still only 5 points from safety. Yet it was the Ionians who led for most of the game until the final 10 minutes when a try for the Students allowed them to run down the clock as they now probably only one more win for safety.

The final game saw the northern derby go the way of the north-east as Blaydon inflicted on Wharfedale their sixth consecutive loss. The home side’s good start was soon engulfed by the power of the Blaydon pack as it took control in the second half allowing them to move the ball for 3 further tries. This loss now leaves Wharfedale 10 points from safety but if any of the lower half teams can pick up their own form then Wharfedale are not yet safe, probably needing one more win for safety.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

23^rd March 2014.

National league 1 results round up week 26...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 23/03/2014 15:16

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
23/03/2014 15:16

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