National league 1 match previews week 10 - round 10.

Friday 8th Saturday 9th November 2013 including Coventry Rugby v Fylde.

Fixtures Week 10 8^th/9^th November

Friday 8^th November

Rosslyn Park               v         Loughborough Students

Saturday 9^th November

Blaydon                       v         Doncaster Knights

Cinderford                  v         Blackheath

Coventry Rugby         v         Fylde

Esher                            v        Tynedale

Henley Hawks             v        Old Albanian

Hull Ionians                 v        Worthing Raiders

Richmond                    v        Wharfedale

A weekend of 4 key games involving all top 6 sides with now only 3 points separating positions 3rd to 6th. Esher in 2^nd place are within 3 points of leaders Doncaster face the easiest task but all other games could go either way.

One of last season’s frontrunners Blaydon entertain league leaders Doncaster Knights. After a horrendous start Blaydon have now found their form from last season, with 5 successive victories must now be confident on their own ground to inflict Doncaster’s 2^nd defeat of the season. With the Doncaster backs, especially centre Mat Clark in fine form it could turn out to be a contest between the leaders back division and a dominant home pack. A very close game is expected which could go either way.

Esher still with only one defeat must see the visit of Tynedale as an opportunity to put pressure on Doncaster. There should only be one outcome with Tynedale languishing in 15^th spot with only two wins and 10 points. Not good travellers another loss for Dale must make them favourites for relegation. Esher’s better all round game should see them get the necessary bonus point win.

It is 3^rd against 5^th as Rosslyn Park have Loughborough Students as their visitors. With both sides suffering poor performances in defeat last Saturday and slipping in the table it is an important must win for both sides. Matters were not helped by both sides suffering from poor discipline and an inability to fully take their chances leading to their downfall. The home side must be slight favourites if they can get their formidable pack on top, a win for Rosslyn Park will keep them in sight of the top two whilst a defeat for the Students would bring them in sight of the chasing pack.

The fourth key game sees the meeting of high scoring sides as Coventry Rugby meet one of their historical foes in Fylde. The away side will be confident after their comprehensive win over the then 2^nd placed Rosslyn Park, whilst Coventry  will still be smarting after a another poor away performance. A more detailed match preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.

Wharfedale must fancy their chances as they visit a struggling Richmond side. Not always good travellers Wharfedale will be looking for their fourth consecutive win, a win which may take them higher than their current 7^th position. However, Richmond are only one place above the relegation zone and really need to get their act together for the first time this season. Another close encounter is expected but the confidence shown recently by Dale should just see them through.

Well the euphoria felt by Henley Hawks after their recent defeat of Doncaster was soon dissipated as they came across a resolute Blaydon side, however, even there they had enough possession to suggest they should be easy winners at home to Old Albanian, who have largely struggled this season after last season’s exploits.

In the Forest, Cinderford after their heavy defeat at Wharfedale have Blackheath as their visitors. With the home side back in the relegation zone it is a must win for Cinderford to at least move them away from danger. On the other hand Blackheath bounced back well to defeat Hull Ionians but the home side should still be slight favourites.

The final game sees bottom and winless side Hull Ionians entertain fellow promoted side Worthing Raiders. With Worthing doubling their number of wins in a comprehensive defeat of a fancied Coventry side they must travel with confidence high to get their third win of the season. A tremendous defensive performance gave Worthing the win and again this defence has to be on top against a Hull Ionians side who are getting very close to a point of no return anchored at the bottom of the league.

Coventry Rugby v Fylde match preview.

This Saturday 9^th November at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3 pm, sees Coventry Rugby have one of their historical foes in Fylde as their visitors.

Founded in 1919 amongst the loamy rich soils of the coastal area on the North-West Lancashire coast, Fylde have had a rich history on the International as well as the Lancashire County scene. After a somewhat difficult period with the advent of professionalism Fylde have since stabilised and were promoted back to National League 1 three seasons ago, finishing a very creditable 4^th place. Second season syndrome set it last season but they still finished 6^th on 91 points and with 17 wins, compared to Coventry Rugby’s 9^th place, 13 wins and 72 points.

The former English coach Brian Ashton is back as Head Coach with Mark Nelson there in a more ephemeral role but still maintaining close links with the Lancashire County set up. The Ashton/Nelson duo believe in a fast moving off-loading style of play  which has seen them become the 2^nd highest try scorers in the league this season, closely followed by Coventry Rugby. Strangely enough it is Coventry who have scored more tries in their backs than Fylde, 23 against 19 but with player coach and lock Paul Arnold being the league’s leading try scorer with 10 he has obviously been in the right place at the right time.

Currently Fylde have won 5 games out of their 9 with 4 losses, but it should be pointed out that they have played 4 out of the top 5 sides, including very narrow defeats away at Doncaster and at Esher. They also lost away at Loughborough Students and a somewhat surprising home defeat to Worthing Raiders- a statement Coventry Rugby know only too well. Yet, last Saturday Fylde had an overwhelming home bonus point victory over Rosslyn Park. Further wins have been over Tynedale, Blackheath, Wharfedale and Old Albanian.

Last season in two very close games which were controversial as crucial yellow card decisions appeared to go against Coventry, Fylde did the double winning the home game 22-20 and the BPA return 23-24.

Fylde have had a very stable squad for some years now with this season only seeing a handful of players depart and likewise arrive. Arrivals included lock Gareth Gore from Preston Grasshoppers and hooker Mark Rylance from Caldy.

A large number of key players were retained including fly half Chris Johnson whose goal kicking and try scoring ability has given Fylde an extra dimension. With scrum half Ryan De la Harpe they have a potent half back pairing with always the option to use their fast backs. Wingers Ben Rath and Oli Brennand can be a dangerous combination coupled with centres Scott Barlow, Warren Spragg, Chris Briers and full back Olly Viney.

The pack cannot be ignored at your peril with the ubiquitous Paul Arnold, and a back row of Sam Beaumont, Evan Stewart and Steve McGinnis, as well as Tom Burtonwood. Prop Peter Altham is also getting good reviews.

A very difficult game to predict as Coventry Rugby do have a 100% home record and they need to quickly put behind them their  eminently forgettable display at Worthing if they want to maintain their position in the league. Fylde on the other hand have the same number of points as Coventry but with an inferior points difference. A win for either side could move them into 3^nd place.

Kick off as usual is 3 pm at the Butts Park Arena as Coventry Rugby go for their 5th consecutive home victory  before what should be their 5^th  successive 1000 plus attendance at home.

Tom little

Coventry Rugby press office

4^th November 2013.