National league 1 week 9 results round up...

Saturday 2nd November 2013.

Week 9/Round 9 results 2^nd November.

Blackheath                   32             16           Hull Ionians

Blaydon                         39               5          Henley Hawks

Doncaster Knights       55               3         Tynedale

Fylde                              26              10        Rosslyn Park

Loughborough St         12              32        Esher

Old Albanian                 15              10       Richmond

Wharfedale                   40              10       Cinderford

Worthing Raiders        39               12       Coventry Rugby      

A Saturday of torrential downpours, a plethora of cards, immense defence, and an inability to turn possession into points may have contributed to some defining results. Out of the top 5 sides only leaders Doncaster and Esher won, whilst overall it was 7 home wins out of 8, with only 1 losing bonus point earned.

It was no surprise as Doncaster overwhelmed a despondent and struggling Tynedale side, with centre Mat Clark again in form with a hat-trick of tries. Already over at half-time having scored 40 points only a torrential downpour saved Dale from further woes. A win that keeps them 3 points ahead of Esher in 2^ndplace.  

Rosslyn Park found their visit to Fylde unproductive as they lost their first game of the season. Despite having an edge in their powerful scrum Park came up a resolute home defence, with the more adventurous play from the home side proving decisive. An early try by leading try scorer Paul Arnold gave Fylde the impetus, with Rosslyn Park not helped by a yellow card in the 2^nd half. This loss takes Park back into third place whilst Fylde are now equal on points as 4^th placed Coventry.

Esher took over as 2^nd place just 3 points behind leaders Doncaster with a bonus point win away at Loughborough Students. Initially a close game just after the break until two yellow cards let Esher in for a deserved win. A first half brace of tries from No 8 Mike Macfarlane saw them on their and Macfarlane completed his hat-trick later on.

At Worthing the league’s leakiest defence met the league’s top scoring side as the form book was turned on its head as Worthing Raiders swept to their first home win of the season over Coventry Rugby. Despite plenty of possession, especially in the 2nd half Coventry were unable to break down a determined home defence and as Coventry became more and more desperate 2 interceptions and a breakaway gave Worthing a deserved bonus point victory.

Wharfedale made it a hat-trick of wins as they overcame a hard working Cinderford side, who despite their own share of possession where unable to turn it into points. Three yellow cards proved the turning point as Wharfedale were able to take full advantage as they ran in 5 tries. This Dale win brings them within 1 win of the heady heights of third in the league, whilst Cinderford fall back into the relegation zone.

Blaydon were not overawed by the visit of the conquers of Doncaster Henley Hawks as they surged to their fifth successive victory, a win which takes them into the top half for the first time this season.  Another story of a good defence with Henley unable to penetrate it despite plenty of possession, with the home side then showing their visitors the way to do it.

Blackheath bounced back from their heavy defeat at Coventry by getting their bonus point win over bottom side and still winless Hull Ionians. Proving how important Dave Allen still is to the Blackheath side as his 100^th try for club set up them to consolidate their early lead. Never in any danger Blackheath were always in control as they left Hull Ionians with surely too much to do to escape relegation.

The final game saw two struggling sides Old Albanian and Richmond fight out a suitably nervy low scoring and close encounter. It was left to a late try saving tackle that saved Old Albanian blushes, but leaves Richmond only 2 points above the relegation zone.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

3^rd November 2013.