National league 1 results round up week 4...
By Tom Little.
September 30 2013
Saturday 28th September 2013.
Cinderford 5 35 Doncaster Knights
Coventry 32 15 Henley Hawks
Esher 31 10 Old Albanian
Fylde 45 50 Worthing Raiders
Hull Ionians 25 41 Richmond
Loughborough St 43 50 Blackheath
Rosslyn Park 41 15 Blaydon
Tynedale 27 40 Wharfedale
Week 4 results saw two teams, Fylde and Loughborough Students lose their unbeaten records, but two teams, Worthing Raiders and Richmond gained their first wins of the season. With pre-season favourites Doncaster, Coventry Rugby and Esher all getting bonus point wins there is only 1 point separating these top three. Not such good news at the bottom with now only Blaydon and Hull Ionians yet to win, although Hull Ionians did manage to get their first point of the season.
Doncaster Knights eased to a comfortable victory away to Cinderford. The home side don’t appear to have the pack as of old and Donny were able to secure plenty of possession to give backs like Paul Jarvis and winger Tyson Lewis some searing runs and tries. In the end the final score somewhat flattered Doncaster as Cinderford started to get more possession but failed to finish off their chances.
Coventry Rugby went up into 2nd position after their home bonus point win over league newcomers Henley Hawks. In their best league start for well over a decade Coventry, despite a lack of possession in the first half Coventry Rugby were able to put their defensive prowess to the test .A much better 2nd half saw them overcome some doubtful decisions to maintain their unbeaten start. Another record crowd for this season and better than last suggests support is returning, with the team yet to fire on all cylinders.
Esher were the third side to maintain their unbeaten record with a bonus point win at home to Old Albanian. Despite the home forwards thinking they could score at will OA defence was well marshalled. It took 2 tries from leading points scorer full back Luke Daniels and attacking skills from fly-half Tom Whelan to finally turn the screw and put them on track for an efficient victory.
Loughborough Students lost their unbeaten record at home to Blackheath, in what could be described as a defensive nightmare for both sides with 13 tries scored. Already 37-3 down at half-time the Students managed a late 2nd half rally ,somewhat reminiscent of last season, but Blackheath just held on for a bonus point victory with the Students picking up 2 bonus points.
There was another defensive nightmare at Fylde as they lost their unbeaten record to a Worthing Raiders side who notched up their first win, in a 15 try thriller. It was always on the cards with the two teams already with some of the worst defensive records. An abrasive encounter with no less than 7 yellow cards, with Worthing finally getting streetwise enough to counter the more experienced and battle weary Fylde pack. Worthing could match Fylde in their running ability from deep with wing Alex Nielsen getting a hat-trick, whilst Olly Viney reciprocated for Fylde.
Rosslyn Park saw their unbeaten record intact with a rare bonus point victory at home over Blaydon. The away side were competitive despite not yet having won a game. So much so that Park’s Coach Alex Codling got his pantomime shepherds crook out after 25 minutes changing his half-backs with now Sam Katz back in his usual position as fly-half. Katz responded with 3 conversions and 5 penalties and three late tries gave Park the win.
Wharfedale had an excellent away win over a struggling Tynedale side. A loss that leaves Tynedale in the bottom three, as their forwards struggled to cope with the Wharfedale pack and indeed the official’s interpretation in the scrum, with no fewer than 7 scrum penalties being kicked by Tom Barrett. Yet both sides scored 3 tries with Wharfedale unable to get the try bonus.
The final game saw Hull Ionians lose again for the fourth time to previously winless Richmond. The Richmond forwards, as Coventry found last week starting supplying plenty of ball to their effective backs, who had the edge to score. Hull Ionians never gave up and with three late scores got 5 tries of their own but are in urgent need of proselytising help as Richmond converted all 5 of theirs but Hull couldn’t.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
30th September 2013.
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