By Tom Little
March 10 2015

...Saturday 14th March 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Tynedale.

Fixtures Saturday 14^th March 2015.

Blackheath                                v      Darlington Mowden Park

Blaydon                                      v      Richmond

Coventry Rugby                        v      Tynedale

Fylde                                           v       Ealing Trailfinders

Loughborough Students          v      Esher

Old Albanian                              v      Macclesfield

Rosslyn Park                               v      Hartpury College

Wharfedale                                 v      Cinderford 

Key games this week, sees leaders Ealing Trailfinders away to Fylde, and Rosslyn Park at home to Hartpury College. On the face of it both fixtures could be close and determine the ultimate outcome of the league. The battle over the final relegation place sees Old Albanian, having arguably the easier fixture with Macclesfield, whilst Cinderford have to travel to Wharfedale knowing that a win is essential.

Ealing Trailfinders visit to Fylde is one of those games that could cause an upset, however Ealing have been a lot more pragmatic in their approach this season not only relying on the finishing power of Phil Chesters and Luke Daniels but  also able to bring in their effective back row and defence. The game may hinge on how much possession Fylde get, but overall Ealing should be too powerful and get a hard fought win.

Hoping for any slip up will be Rosslyn Park,who have their own tricky fixture to an in form Hartpury College. Park themselves are playing well and know that a win is required to maintain pressure on Ealing. In what is expected to be another close game Park to run out winners.

Two sides who have recently fallen from grace, Coventry Rugby and Tynedale meet at the Butts Park Arena. It is a must win for the visitors as another loss would surely leave them too much to do to escape relegation. Coventry Rugby on the other hand are a shadow of what they were before Christmas. A full preview of this game will follow.

Another case of a must win is for Cinderford, as they visit Wharfedale. Still 5 points from safety Cinderford are rapidly running out of games to catch up. Now that Wharfedale are safe they are playing better and they are expected to win a close contest.

Hoping for such a result will be Old Albanian as a win could put them 10 points ahead of Cinderford with just 4 games to play. OA play already relegated Macclesfield, and although they have been playing better with no winning success, the greater need of the St. Albans side should prove decisive.

A buoyant Darlington Mowden Park side after beating Coventry will be looking for another scalp as they travel to Blackheath. The home side succumbed to a Hartbury College side last week, but although slight favourites at home, Park will be looking to close in on 7^th spot and have the counter attacking ability to worry Blackheath.

A mid-table battle is in prospect as Blaydon entertain Richmond. Blaydon have had an inconsistent season and at times Richmond have flattered to deceive. Another close game but should just go to the home side.

The final game sees another mid-table contest between two sides safe as Loughborough Students entertain Esher. Another side that has flattered to deceive is Esher capable of raising their game but now back in 11^th place. The Students should just have enough to win this one.

Match Preview Coventry Rugby v Tynedale

This coming Saturday 14^th March sees Coventry Rugby return home to play their penultimate home game of the season against Tynedale, with kick off at the Butts Park Arena at the usual 3 pm. Both sides come into the game after a series of losses, in Coventry Rugby’s case 3, whilst Tynedale have now not won in 15 consecutive games. Founded in 1876 Tynedale , under Chairman of Rugby John Shotton and Coach Tom Borthwick are currently in 15^th place after finishing 13^th last season. With only 6 wins and 19 losses under their belts this season they find themselves in relegation trouble being 12 points from safety.

After a steady start to this season winning 6 out of their first 10 games, they have subsequently lost their last 15. However the run of losses seem to coincide with losing their influential former Falcons lock Andy Buist to long term injury, as well as the recall of a number of dual registered players back to Newcastle Falcons. They will argue that without the budget of London or large city clubs they have no option, although if players want to stay in the area there is little choice as to other clubs. What the impact of ambitious Darlington Mowden Park and their relationship with the Falcons and local recruitment is still not clear.

Their early wins include ones over Blaydon, Wharfedale, Esher and Fylde suggesting that they could still be a threat for the final games of the season as they fight for survival. Indeed with Andy Buist now back from injury and a number of the Falcons players returning, Tynedale although still not winning have been putting in much better performances. Even in defeat at Ealing they managed to score 7 tries, and last week at home again to Ealing put the leaders under a great deal of pressure in the second half with their pack being dominant, without any reward. The three games previous to that game saw Tynedale pick up losing bonus points against Hartpury College, Darlington MP and Fylde.

Earlier in the season Coventry Rugby went to Corbridge and were dominant in scoring 9 tries. Despite a defensive frailty at times Tynedale still have the ability to score tries especially through the driving maul with former flanker and now centre Ben Frankland often joining in.Falcons players have been making a large impact with fly-half Brett Connon, brother of Grant, who caused Coventry so much trouble last week, and Kiwi flanker Dan Temm after a spell at Rotherham back at Tynedale helping their cause.

Dave Nelson- hooker, Dan Taylor and Joe Mills both flankers are also associated with the Falcons as is wing Adam King. Other new players include No 8 Scott Powell from Westoe, Will Miller-winger from Wigton and lock Glen Young.

Players retained from last season include the afore mentioned Andy Buist, vastly experienced Peter Southern at prop with Matt Charters at No 8 as well as flanker Graham Dunne. The front row is further boosted by hooker Alex Westgarth and props Sam White and Dan Lowden.

The return of captain centre Jack Harrison after injury, with half-back Matty Outson and centre Peter Weightman gives the team plenty of experience.

The Tynedale side are certainly fighting for their survival in National League 1, as another loss would most surely seal their fate. Coventry Rugby on the other hand are coming off the back of their third consecutive loss and urgently need to get their winning ways back. A game that they cannot take for granted, with an added incentive of a home win will confirm their best ever number of wins in NL1, as well as needing 1 more try to break the 100 barrier.

It is important that another large crowd attends the Butts Park Arena to give support and encouragement to their team, as another win will virtually confirm their third place. Kick off as usual being 3 pm.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

10^th March 2015.

Week 26 national league 1 previews...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 10/03/2015 16:18

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
10/03/2015 16:18

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