By Tom Little
March 30 2015

...Saturday 28th March 2015 including Ealing Trailfinders v Coventry Rugby.

Results Week 27 28^th March 2015

Cinderford                                   37         14         Fylde

Darlington Mowden Park         12          24        Rosslyn Park

Ealing Trailfinders                      24          18        Coventry Rugby

Esher                                            30          30        Old Albanian

Hartpury College                        20         19         Loughborough Students

Macclesfield                                  7         10         Blaydon

Richmond                                    34         19         Wharfedale

Tynedale                                      40        19          Blackheath

The game of the day lived up to expectations as leaders Ealing Trailfinders fought out a narrow victory over a Coventry Rugby side decimated by injuries during the game , playing most of the second half with just 14 and at times down to 13 players. The home side, with its monster pack effectively used the driving maul in the first half with Coventry conceding 3 tries, although the visitors were given hope as a maul was turned over allowing Will Hurrell to get a try back. The second half saw Coventry Rugby play with growing confidence, so much so that a penalty try gave them the lead. It took until 2 minutes from time that the 1/2 men shortage finally told as Luke Daniels scored the winning  try. A brave Coventry performance, before another large travelling contingent , saw the point gained guaranteeing them at least third place in the league.

Rosslyn Park kept the pressure on the leaders with their own bonus point win away at Darlington Mowden Park. Another large crowd saw a subdued home side unable to break down a stubborn Rosslyn Park defence and the threat of winger Dave Vincent and No 8 Hugo Ellis proved unstoppable with a try apiece. A late home try almost salvaged a losing bonus point but it was not to be.Will  these two teams be  among the front runners for the title next season, certainly the Londoners will be, but Darlington still have some work to do.

The battle to avoid relegation livened up with Cinderford ‘s demolition of visitors Fylde in a 6 try win. An excellent pack performance by the home side somewhat belied their lowly league position. This win now brings Cinderford within 3 points of safety.

Needing a win for the same reasons Old Albanian travelled to Esher and gained a 3 point draw which helped to keep daylight between them and the chasing Cinderford. Despite Esher going into an early lead a yellow card against them allowed Old Albanian back into the game with 2 tries. It needed a late late Ian Cross score to rescue a home draw.

Seemingly dead and buried 2 weeks ago after 16 straight defeats, Tynedale finally got their act together or more correctly their pack did, with no less than 3 penalty tries given against their visitors Blackheath. It is still probably too late for Dale but it does bring them within 10 points of safety with 3 games to go. As for Blackheath the loss means they cannot now catch Coventry Rugby in third place.

The Higher Education battle went as close as expected with Hartpury College just beating Loughborough Students by one point. Despite the advantage of a strong first half wind Hartpury were unable to take full control and a more even second  half saw Loughborough take the lead  before a late home try sealed it for them and brought Hartpury to within 2 points of Fylde in 5^th place.

An impressive first half saw Richmond surge into a half-time lead of 34-7. Too good to be true as a Wharfedale side fighting just for pride managed to nil Richmond in the second half and scoring 2 tries of their own-too little too late for them.

The final game saw a gutsy performance by already relegated Macclesfield as they somewhat surprised the odds by holding their visitors Blaydon to just a 3 point margin.Not for the first time Blaydon had to thank their No 10 Andrew Baggett for all their points as his first half try and early second half penalty sealed it for Blaydon.

Relegation from the Championship/ promotion into NL1

The intriguing battle to see who will join Coventry Rugby National League 1 goes on with Plymouth Albion and Moseley fighting it out. Friday night saw Moseley, although losing to high flying Rotherham, managing to gain 2 match points, whilst Sunday saw Albion travel to Cornish Pirates losing with no match points. The net result means that Moseley are now 7 points ahead of Plymouth Albion, with just 3 games to go. It is looking more like it will be Albion joining Coventry Rugby next season.

Henley Hawks have just been confirmed as promoted from NL2 South to NL1, so another familiar face will join Coventry Rugby next season. The other two promotion spots from NL2 to NL1 have not yet been settled.

There will be no preview for the coming Saturday which is Easter Saturday as no NL1 games are scheduled for that day. The next game for Coventry Rugby will be away at Fylde on Saturday the 11^th April. A full preview of that game and the rest of Week/Round 28  will be issued after Easter.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

30th March 2015.

Week 27 national league 1 results round up...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 30/03/2015 09:38

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
30/03/2015 09:38

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Jean H
30/03/2015 11:53

Thanks Tom Happy Easter to to you and Mary.

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tom snr
30/03/2015 14:11

Tks jean ,in midst of building work no kitchen floor for easter!

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