National League 1 results round-up. Week 1 Saturday...
By Tom Little
September 8 2014
...6th September 2014.
Week 1 - Saturday 6th September Results.
Coventry Rugby 30 32 Rosslyn Park
Darlington MP 23 24 Blaydon
Ealing Tfs 22 10 Loughborough Students
Esher Rugby 36 20 Cinderford
Fylde 31 16 Blackheath
Hartpury College 25 30 Wharfedale
Macclesfield 22 36 Richmond
Tynedale 11 10 Old Albanian
The first Saturday of the new season saw 3 red cards and a plethora of yellows in a series of feisty and hard fought encounters, with the highest winning margin only 16 points and four clubs gaining losing bonus points. Overall attendances seemed poor with only Coventry and Darlington MP breaking the 4 figure number, you have to ask the question do some of the so-called title contenders really have an audience for future promotion or will they have to rely solely on rich benefactors.
There were no real surprises on Saturday with the two favourites Ealing Tfs and Rosslyn Park winning, and the three promoted teams all losing at home, albeit two very closely.
What was billed as match of the day Coventry Rugby v Rosslyn Park turned out to be something of a damp squib for the Coventry fans, as the pace, organisation and skill of the Park side proved unstoppable, helped in no small way by some poor home tackling and kicking, especially in the first half. A final score that somewhat flattered Coventry, but if the home side can play so poorly but still pick up points then all is not yet lost. Rosslyn Park were arguably the best side to visit BPA last season and I suspect they will be so again this. Incidentally the Coventry crowd at 1391 was their highest ever opening day crowd in National League 1 showing an 18% rise over last season.
The other main favourite for promotion Ealing Tfs saw off the challenge of Loughborough Students, who no doubt will take time to gel, with both sides locked at 10 all at half-time. The greater experience and power of the home pack, led by flanker Arthur Ellis told in the second half as a late penalty try sealed the bonus point win for them.
As expected Fylde had a home bonus point win over Blackheath. It was another game that had a flurry of yellow cards, one against Fylde led to an early second half lead by the visitors. The seasiders stepped up a gear and two late tries sealed a deserved victory for them.
Esher Rugby emphasised their credentials after a poor end to last season and the loss of some key players, with an emphatic victory over Cinderford. Esher leading by 17 nil at half-time saw the Foresters come back into the game, but the home side’s pack started to take control and a late try sealed the bonus point victory.
Macclesfield found it tough going back in this league especially in the second half against an experienced Richmond side. Trailing by only one point at half time Macclesfield even took the lead early in the second half. However then the greater experience of the Richmond pack, especially Chris Davies led to two tries by No 8 Joe Burton and that was it.
The second largest league crowd of the season saw Darlington Mowden Park take on their north-east rivals Blaydon in their inaugural National league 1 fixture. In what turned out to be a full bloodied affair which included a red card for Blaydon’s Micky Ward, Park led for most of the game, with two tries from No 8 Ollie Hodgson in the second half. Then the home side lost a man to a yellow card which equalised numbers and a very late try and conversion sealed it for the visitors.A salutory lesson for the league newcomers in how to see off the game.
Another newcomer who had to struggle for most of the match after a red card was newcomers Hartpury College as they entertained Wharfedale. Despite the card in the 10th minute, College led for the rest of the first half. However another card reduced them to 13 men in the second half and Wharfedale fought back. However a late try from Hartpury almost snatched victory, another lesson in the need to keep discipline.
The final game saw Tynedale eke out a narrow win over their visitors Old Albanian. Despite little possession the home side somehow managed to go into a 11 point lead, helped by some penalty misses from former Ealing centre Will Magie. Seemingly cruising to victory two late tries gave Old Albanian chance of an away win but two conversion misses by Magie allowed the home side to scramble the win. Another salutary lesson, you need to have a reliable goal-kicker at this level.
I would point out that these views are solely mine and are not necessarily the views of Coventry Rugby.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
8th September 2014.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
When Bris (one of the 14) can get twice as many in as the rest of the Championship put together, you have to ask yourself if rugby union is capable of extended survival in its present form.