National league 1 results round up week 29 - round 29.
By Tom Little.
April 14 2014
Saturday 12th April 2014.
Results Week 29 - Saturday 12th April.
Blaydon 15 14 Fylde
Cinderford 32 46 Esher
Coventry Rugby 17 18 Doncaster Knights
Henley Hawks 22 11 Loughborough Students
Hull Ionians 12 60 Rosslyn Park
Old Albanian 33 20 Worthing Raiders
Richmond 49 21 Tynedale
Wharfedale 19 24 Blackheath
Saturday saw the promotion race still wide open with Doncaster Knights lead over Rosslyn Park cut to just 3 points, which means the title will be decided on the last day of the season 26th April, with any type of win for Doncaster giving them an immediate return to the Championship.
At the other end of the table another loss by Worthing Raiders saw them relegated after just one season at this level, thus joining Hull Ionians, with the final relegation place also going to the last game of the season with Cinderford, Henley Hawks, Loughborough Students and even Tynedale battling to survive.
It’s a warm welcome to our league with the first promotion place filled with Hartpury College’s win on Saturday, cementing their elevation, thus being a new side for Coventry fans to visit.
As expected the key game before the league’s largest crowd of the day saw Coventry Rugby just fail at the death to lower Doncaster Knights colours. In an enthralling contest full of intensity and pulsating with noble endeavour it was a game that could have gone either way. Coventry Rugby put behind them last week’s vicissitudes against Rosslyn Park as they put in a committed performance which gave the much vaunted Knights back line very few chances. In the end a late, late, try and a missed drop goal by Coventry gave Doncaster the crucial victory, meaning that they will be promoted if they can win their last game at Blackheath.
Rosslyn Park did their part in keeping their challenge going with an expected bonus point win over already relegated Hull Ionians. 10 tries said it all with 4 from winger Tom Howe, and despite the home side getting 2 tries of their own Rosslyn Park always emphasised their credentials.
It is equally as close in the fight to avoid the third and final relegation spot. The crucial game between Henley Hawks and Loughborough Students ended with a close home win which gives Henley another chance to survive with both sides still involved in the relegation battle which again will be settled on the last day of the season.
No such stay of execution as Worthing Raiders defeat at Old Albanian saw them fill the second relegation place. A salutary loss for the well supported south coast side who despite scoring plenty of tries shipped far too many, and in the end their pack was not up to National league 1 standard. They will certainly be back and with this experience gained will only help their future ambitions.
Another side needing the win was Cinderford, whose loss to Esher has dropped them in the third relegation spot, yet with still 2 games in hand. Always behind to an Esher side who have rediscovered their try scoring potential, the home side did manage to gain a losing bonus point which may prove vital. Next week’s only fixture the catch up one between Old Albanian and Cinderford could provide Cinderford with the win that will virtually keep them up.
The other club still in danger of relegation Tynedale suffered a large away defeat at Richmond. Once again the power and pace of the Richmond side led by Chris Davies proved decisive with the bonus point win giving Richmond a top half placing. Tynedale will now have to win their last game of the season to make sure of safety.
The battle over fourth place between Blaydon and Fylde turned out to be as close as expected. It was Fylde who dominated initially with an early lead. Eventually the home side got going and back in the game, with a late driving maul getting them the winning try. This win puts Blaydon within sight of Fylde in fourth place.
The final game saw a ding dong battle between two well matched sides as Wharfedale took on Blackheath at their Threshfield ground. A pulsating match saw the lead change over several times, until a last minute try gave the visitors their victory, which keeps them in 8th place.
Apart from the one catch up fixture next week between Old Albanian and Cinderford , National League 1 takes an Easter break until the official end of season on Saturday 26th April. Therefore there will be no previews or results round up this week, with a full preview of the Coventry Rugby v Hull Ionians game published after Easter.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
14th April 2014.
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