National league 1 week 30 - round 30...
By Tom Little
April 22 2014
Saturday 26th April 2014 match previews including Coventry Rugby v Hull Ionians.
Fixtures Week 30 Saturday 26th April:
Blackheath v Doncaster Knights
Coventry Rugby v Hull Ionians
Esher v Richmond
Fylde v Old Albanian
Loughborough Students v Blaydon
Rosslyn Park v Cinderford
Tynedale v Henley Hawks
Worthing Raiders v Wharfedale
Well it’s finally arrived, my last preview of the season. A season that has been alternately exciting, frustrating or even more importantly enjoyable, with still the crucial promotion place and the one remaining relegation place to be settled. If ever there was an argument to keep the existing 16 team National League 1 with its automatic promotion and relegation this was it, but enough of the politics and onto the fights for promotion, survival and pride
The stakes couldn’t be higher as leaders Doncaster Knights slug it out with Rosslyn Park over the one promotion place. It is a very simple equation for Doncaster, any sort of win by them would see them straight back into the Championship, whilst a bonus point win for Rosslyn Park and a loss for Doncaster would see Park promoted by reason of having more wins.
The fight over the one remaining relegation place still involves no less than 4 sides despite Saturday’s away win by Cinderford at Old Albanian, with Henley Hawks now replacing them in the final relegation place, whether they survive will depend on their result on this Saturday. Put simply any type of win for Tynedale, Loughborough Students or Cinderford would see Henley Hawks relegated.
Key match on Saturday is that between Blackheath and Doncaster Knights. Both sides have virtually identical records over the last 10 games with normally home advantage taking precedent, however in what is expected to be a close call I fully expect that Doncaster will not fall at the last hurdle despite some nervous moments, thus removing the only full-time side from the league.
In case Doncaster do slip up then Rosslyn Park at home to Cinderford would expect to collect all 5 points on offer. Yet their visitors are still not yet safe despite last Saturday’s win at Old Albanian, but they only have to win this game to make sure of safety, or rely on other teams results if they do lose to save them having to win their re-arranged game at Wharfedale a week on Saturday. Park have enough quality not to slip up which may leave Cinderford nervously looking over their shoulders.
Coventry Rugby smarting from possibly losing 5 points on a registration mishap will be favourites to make up the deficit over already relegated Hull Ionians. A fuller match preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.
The interest now switches to the other end of the table as the crucial fixture between Tynedale and Henley Hawks takes place. Quite simply Henley Hawks need the bonus point win as well as restricting the host side Tynedale to no more than one losing bonus point to even stand a chance of avoiding relegation, leaving Tynedale to rely on other results to escape relegation. A close and nervous afternoon for all is in prospect but Tynedale at home should have enough to at least get their 2 points required.
Another side who needs the win to be safe are Loughborough Students as they entertain Blaydon. Any type of win would be sufficient but in Blaydon they face an effective side, a win for them could see them overtake Fylde in 4th place. Everything to play for but Blaydon might be slight favourites, defeat for the Students would see them having to rely on other results for safety.
Nothing at stake at the seaside as Fylde have Old Albanian as their visitors. With the knowledge that fourth placed Fylde might be overtaking Coventry Rugby if their points deduction is upheld, then a win would confirm Fylde in third place and keep them ahead of Blaydon. A win for Old Albanian could propel them into the top half of the table. The home side will be clear favourites for a bonus point win.
Two sides who have discovered some recent form Esher and Richmond meet in another of those London local derbies. A difficult one to predict as wins for both sides could move them up the table to 4th in the case of Esher and 6th for Richmond. With the home side back to scoring plenty of tries they should be slight favourites.
The final game sees Worthing Raiders, already confirmed as being relegated entertain Wharfedale. The south coast side with their entertaining brand of running rugby and third best attendance figured will be missed, but surely with this experience gained will be back up to National League 1 in due course. They might just edge it against Wharfedale a side who don’t always travel well.
Coventry Rugby v Hull Ionians match preview
This coming Saturday 26th April 2014 sees the final match of the season as Coventry Rugby have Hull Ionians as their visitors to the Butts Park Arena for the usual 3 pm kick off. With Coventry Rugby already guaranteed the league’s best attendance Coventry Rugby will be looking to end their season with a bonus point victory which would guarantee them at least a final placing of 4th or even 3rd if their appeal against the points deduction was upheld.
It is somewhat of an understatement to say that newcomers to this league Hull Ionians have had a difficult first season, promoted from National League 2 North after beating previous favourites Stourbridge in the playoffs, they have found the season a steep learning curve for a largely settled but unknown side, with relegation back to National league 2 North already confirmed.
Formed in 1989 following the merger of Hull and East Riding founded in 1875 with Ionians founded in 1926, the merged club moved to their purpose built facilities at Brantingham Park in 1995.
New Director of Rugby Sean Carty assisted by Head Coach Gary Pearce able to keep the large bulk of their existing squad who have seen their team promoted. Boosted by Yorkshire teams such as Leeds Carnegie, Doncaster Knights and especially Rotherham Titans augmenting the new arrivals with a number of dual registered players at various times throughout this season. However the extra experience was not enough in the end and with just the one game left, Hull Ionians have won 3 games and drawn 1 set against their 25 losses. They have only won 2 home games over Worthing Raiders and an impressive one over Fylde. Two excellent results away were a victory at Wharfedale and a creditable draw at Blaydon. Despite a combative set of forwards the Ionians have scored the fewest number of tries in the league and have the greatest points difference deficit of minus 541.Their first game of the season against Coventry Rugby losing 12-41 sums up their later season with them shipping 6 tries and despite plenty of possession were unable to make it tell with a lack of a cutting edge. This has left them with just 20 match points compared to Coventry Rugby’s 90.
A game that Coventry Rugby cannot be too complacent about as Hull Ionians do have a firm nucleus of good players such as Chris Reakes and Isaac Green at half-back , full-back Keane Naylor and three wingers to pick from Jon Steel, Sam Wilson and Will Heylings. The pack has a front row of props Steve Johnson and Dave Laverick, with Tom Rice as hooker and locks Rob Kench and Joe Sanders.
An effective back row has Alex Campbell at No 8 and flankers Mark Wigham and Danny Hague as well as Alex Torkington.
Hull Ionians come into this last match after three large defeats at the hands of Tynedale, Esher and Rosslyn Park, whilst Coventry Rugby have lost their last two games to Rosslyn Park and leaders Doncaster Knights.
Before what is expected to be another large Butts Park Arena crowd Coventry Rugby will be looking to make sure they don’t have their worst losing run of the season, needing a bonus point win to consolidate at least 4th place.
A chance for the Coventry supporters to get behind their team for the last time this season in what has been an impressive season in showing what the team is capable of.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
21th April 2014.
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