National league 1 results round up week 27 - round 27...

Saturday 29th March 2014.

Results Week 27 - Saturday 29^th March

Blaydon                   22       16         Blackheath

Cinderford              22       19         Loughborough Students

Coventry Rugby     43         0         Esher

Henley Hawks        21        16        Worthing Raiders

Hull Ionians            21         45       Tynedale

Old Albanian          25         28       Wharfedale

Richmond               36           0       Fylde

Rosslyn Park           21         18      Doncaster Knights

Who would have thought that two of the pre-season favourites Fylde and Esher would suffer large defeats scoring nil points themselves in the process by losing to Richmond and Coventry Rugby respectively, with both of the winning sides setting out their stall as challenging for promotion next season.

Yet it was the current challengers Rosslyn Park and Doncaster Knights, before the largest NL1 crowd of the season who as expected had a close tussle, with the  losing bonus point going to Doncaster which may prove crucial at the end of the season. At the other end of the table wins for Wharfedale and Richmond make them safe but there are still 5 teams fighting to avoid those two remaining relegation spots.

Game of the day in so much it was the important one was the narrow home win by Rosslyn Park over leaders Doncaster Knights. Not really a surprise as this was the fifth away loss by the leaders but their losing bonus point may prove their saving grace at the end of the season. In the end it was a Sam Sneddon penalty goal that proved the difference although it required a last minute Matt Clark try to salvage the bonus point for Doncaster. With both teams now having to face Coventry Rugby over the following two Saturday’s the final chapter may well go into the last weekend.

Coventry Rugby warmed up nicely for these two clashes with a comprehensive 6 try demolition of fourth placed Esher. A frenetic start saw record goal-kicker Cliffie Hodgson kick a penalty whilst Tom Phelan managed to miss 2 straight forward ones. Esher never recovered as Coventry turned the screw with a tremendous defensive and attacking display. Esher started to lose their discipline leading to 2 more goals, and a later red card was compounded with three late 2^nd half tries, a loss which drops Esher down to 7^th place, but gives Coventry Rugby a clear lead in third.

The key game at the other end of the table saw two of the promoted sides Henley Hawks and Worthing Raiders fight out the expected tense and tight game. The home side managed to withstand a late Worthing surge as this crucial win edges them closer to safety, but leaves Worthing teetering on the  edge, with surely now too much to do.

Two other sides struggling to escape relegation Cinderford and Loughborough Students also fought out a close battle, with the home side having to come back from a large half-time deficit to win with a late penalty try. A win that moves the Foresters just 1 point from safety, but still with two games in hand, but leaves the Students looking nervously over their shoulders.

It was a similar story at Blaydon as the home side ran out winners over an in form Blackheath with a late Jason Smithson try. This win moves Blaydon up to 5^th and the losing bonus point makes Blackheath virtually safe requiring just one more win for safety.

Richmond made nonsense of their early season form as they nilled high flying Fylde. Once again the Richmond pack proved the initial match winner as they were too powerful up front and their effective defence left Fylde nowhere to go. A win that moves Richmond to within sight of 5^th place perhaps a forerunner of better things to come for next season.

Another excellent kicking display by the leagues’ leading kicker Wharfedale’s Tom Barrett, soon to be on his way to Rotherham Titans gave Wharfedale the win over Old Albanian. A win the Dale needed just to allay any lingering relegation worries as they defeated a gritty Old Albanian side in another close contest.

Another side to get the win they required was Tynedale away to already relegated Hull Ionians. This bonus point win leaves them just one win from safety, but being the form side out of the five candidates should be enough for safety.

So another exciting Saturday comes to an end with still everything to play for at both ends of the table, and so it will continue most probably for the final three rounds.

Tom little

Coventry Rugby press office

30^th March 2014.