National league 1 results round up week 11/round 11...

...16th November 2013.

Results Week 11 - 16^th November 2013.

Blackheath                               18             25            Richmond

Doncaster Knights                  19              11           Esher

Fylde                                         42              15           Hull Ionians

Loughborough Students       22               45          Coventry Rugby

Old Albanian                           27               27          Blaydon

Tynedale                                  13               41          Rosslyn Park

Wharfedale                             39               24          Henley Hawks

Worthing Raiders                  34                22         Cinderford    

It is increasingly tight at the top with 4 of the top 5 all winning with now only 8 points separating the top 5 sides.

The eagerly awaited clash between new leaders Esher and at Doncaster Knights, saw the Yorkshire side regain top spot at the expense of Esher who dropped down to third. It was a close game with the home side defence on top, but even Doncaster were thwarted in getting the try bonus point as indeed were Esher who were  unable to even get a losing bonus point. With No 8 Adam Kettle in fine form both in defence and attack Doncaster always had the edge.

Rosslyn Park took full advantage of Esher’s slip up as they overwhelmed hosts Tynedale with a 6 try blitz. Park had the better all round game with their slick moves and passes just too good for a Tynedale side now back in 15^th place and 10 points from safety but this win takes Park up to 2^nd place just 3 points behind Doncaster Knights.

It was a feeling of dejá  vu as Coventry Rugby for the 2^nd season in succession reserved their best away performance for Loughborough Students. Against the slope and wind Coventry held the Students to just a 1 point lead at half-time. A second half 4 try surge helped by poor discipline by the Students let Coventry in for two early 2^nd half scores. A lead they steadily improved upon  leaving them in 4^th place but now only 6 points behind the leaders Doncaster Knights.

Fifth placed Wharfedale confirmed their fine form with their 5th successive win over visitors Henley Hawks. Fly-half Tom Barrett was in fine kicking form with 19 points as the home side took full advantage of the 1^st half wind although Henley fought back with 3 later tries it was too little too late.

Fylde put behind them their display in the heavy defeat at Coventry Rugby with a 6 try 2^nd half demolition of bottom side Hull Ionians. In a home 1^st half performance best forgotten Fylde finally got their off- loading game working to which Hull Ionians had no answer. A bonus point win that keeps Fylde in 6^th place, one win from 4^th spot but leaves Hull Ionians still 14 points from safety.

Old Albanian somewhat surprised the pundits as they earned a justifiable draw with a Blaydon side looking for their 7th successive victory. Despite a penalty try for Blaydon before half-time a Blaydon yellow card let in the hosts for 2 quick tries. A close game ended with Andrew Baggett missing a late conversion to win it but Blaydon still getting a try bonus point.  

A game between two of London’s struggling sides Blackheath and Richmond saw the away side finally get their first win in six games. It was the slight edge of the Richmond pack that earned the chances for No 10 Rob Kirby to kick 6 penalty goals for a personal tally of 20 points that took Richmond out of the relegation zone. 

The final game saw Worthing Raiders put behind them their defeat at Hull Ionians as they defeated visitors Cinderford in a bonus point win which takes them out of the relegation zone but places Cinderford back there. An excellent 1^st half performance saw the Raiders  lead of 22-8, helped by a brace of tries from winger Alex Nielsen. Yet Cinderford got their game together early in the 2^nd half with two quick tries, bringing them within 3 points of the hosts. However Worthing dug deep and two more their own tries in the last quarter settled it for them.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

17^th November 2013.