Week 3 - league 1 previews 20-9-2014…
By Tom Little
September 16 2014
Including Coventry Rugby v Old Albanian.
Fixtures Week 3 - Saturday 20th September.
Blackheath v Loughborough Students
Coventry Rugby v Old Albanian
Darlington Mowden Park v Cinderford
Ealing Tfs v Blaydon
Esher Rugby v Macclesfield
Fylde v Rosslyn Park
Hartpury College v Richmond
Tynedale v Wharfedale
Key game of Week 3 must surely be that of leaders Fylde as they meet third placed and one of the pre-season favourites Rosslyn Park. Both sides having opened their campaign with two try bonus point wins, with Fylde crushing Macclesfield last Saturday, and Rosslyn Park carrying on from their narrow win over Coventry to a close win over Blackheath. A game that is too close to call which would normally go to home advantage, however if the Park pack can control the ball and keep the home side backs from it then Rosslyn Park will be able to enhance their title credentials.
It should be something of an easier match for favourites Ealing Tfs as they entertain Blaydon, who somewhat surprisingly lost at home to Tynedale, whilst Ealing had a 7 try win at Old Albanian. With Ealing strengthening their pack this season they should be capable of negating the Blaydon pack, and with their speedy backs should have enough for a comfortable victory, although in shipping 4 tries against OA last week proves they can still be defensively vulnerable.
Two of the other unbeaten sides Tynedale and Wharfedale meet in the north-east, with the home side confident after beating their close neighbour Blaydon. Yet Wharfedale had a comfortable win over Darlington MP, which sets up both sides nicely. Both sides are experienced and largely unchanged from last season, so a close game is expected with perhaps a slight home advantage.
Newcomers Hartpury College have made a steady start to their league campaign but now face a confident unbeaten Richmond side. The Londoners have strengthened an already experienced side and should have enough firepower in their pack, with the speed and tactical awareness of Rob Kirby and his wingers to give the College a reality check as Richmond are expected to win comfortably.
The final unbeaten side Esher Rugby must relish the visit of league newcomers Macclesfield, who must still be shell shocked after last week’s 47 nil defeat to Fylde. Macclesfield have not had the resources to strengthen their side and are at the bottom of the table. Despite a solid pack the visitors are not expected to trouble an Esher side looking to beat last season’s 5th place finish.
Before what is expected to be the largest league 1 crowd of the day, the Butts Park Arena is the venue for the meeting of Coventry Rugby and Old Albanian. Despite still looking for their first win Old Albanian put up a creditable performance in scoring four tries against Ealing Tfs, whilst Coventry obtained their first win of the season at Loughborough Students. A full preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.
Two sides yet to win Blackheath and Loughborough Students, meet in South London. Both sides have shown enough promise even in defeat to suggest that they will both get better, with Blackheath putting up a good display against Rosslyn Park, and the Students likewise against Coventry when they finally realised they could trouble their neighbours. In the end home advantage might just sway it for Blackheath.
The final game sees the two remaining sides yet to win Darlington Mowden Park and Cinderford meet in the north. Darlington MP put up a good display in their first home game and should have beaten Blaydon, but had a reality check when facing an experienced Wharfedale, not helped by 4 yellow cards. Cinderford for their part have had a difficult start losing poorly to both Esher and Hartpury College. A win for the home side should be on the cards leaving the Foresters in further trouble.
Coventry Rugby v Old Albanian preview
This coming Saturday, 20th September at the Butts Park Arena kick off 3pm, sees Coventry Rugby take on Old Albanian in their second home match of the season.
Old Albanian were founded between 1924-1930 in the City of St.Albans. Since the advent of leagues they have progressed steadily reaching National League 1 two seasons ago, finishing 5th in their inaugural season and 9th last, scoring 72 points from their 13 wins, 16 losses and 1 draw compared to Coventry Rugby’s 3rd place with their 19 wins and 11 losses and 95 points.
Old Albanian maintain close links with Premiership side Saracens and always have a sprinkling of their Academy players available.
Under Head Coach Andy Holloway Old Albanian are currently without a win having lost away at Tynedale and last Saturday to Ealing Tfs. By all accounts they had had enough possession to have beaten Tynedale but lack of a cutting edge and a goal-kicker cost them dear. Their cutting edge came back against the favourites Ealing managing to score 4 tries, however their defensive lapses let them down.
The last few seasons has seen the results between the sides go with the home side, last season Coventry won at home 24-10, but lost away by 25-13.Something for both teams to go for to break this cycle.
Since last season Old Albanian have lost four experienced players with scrum-half Stefan Liebenberg off to Cambridge, fly-half and goal-kicker Lawrence Rayner to Plymouth Albion, Sam Staff-prop to Rosslyn Park and Matt Chambers-No 8 to Richmond.
However some key players have been retained such as hooker Brett McNamee, Ross Hamilton-lock, Jimmy Speirs-hooker, Andy Berry and George Warner both props, together with back row men Nick Stevens, Ollie Cooper-Miller and Billy Johnson. Experienced backs Ollie Marchon, Chris Lombaard and Richard Gregg at 15 are also available.
New signings Elliot Reeder a centre and goal-kicker from Oaklands College and another goal-kicker Will Magie also plays at No 10 or centre, plus the very experienced scrum-half Jordi Pasqualin. There is some speed on the wing with Chris May, Mike Allan and Jack Daly in from Cambridge, whilst the former Nottingham University full-back Nick Foster is highly regarded. Mention should also be made of 42 year old Jon Phillips who adds his considerable experience from his days at Bedford Blues who plays at lock.
Last season Old Albanian had the ability to score plenty of tries and cannot be taken too lightly, especially if their experienced pack can give them parity of possession. Coventry Rugby , having narrowly beaten Loughborough Students away last Saturday after being well in control need to make a positive response to their last two performances despite their increasing injury problems.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
16th September 2014
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