Week 4 - league 1 round up… 27-9-2014.

Results for Saturday 27th September 2014.

Blaydon                       21         16          Coventry Rugby

Cinderford                  32         28          Tynedale

Esher                           29         28          Fylde

Loughborough St      27         36          Rosslyn Park

Macclesfield                 3        41           Hartpury College

Old Albanian              12        35           Blackheath 

Richmond                   30        27           Darlington MP

Wharfedale                  8        21           Ealing Tfs   

A Saturday that saw no less than 8 teams getting their try bonus point, first losses for Fylde and Tynedale, the first lost bonus point for leaders Ealing, and a first win for Cinderford. Results that leave only Ealing,and Richmond unbeaten and Loughborough Students, Old Albanian and Macclesfield yet to win. Of the top 5 sides only Fylde break the hegemony of the West London clubs.

It was tale of what could have been at Wharfedale as they led Ealing Tfs  8 nil at half-time. At one stage Ealing were down to 13 men in that first half but the home side couldn’t take full advantage. A failure that cost them dear as James Doherty was red carded in the second half allowing lethal finishing by Ealing to gain 2 tries and a penalty. A feature of this season back in this league by Ealing is their strong defence and effective pack complementing their backs.

Previously unbeaten Fylde travelled to Esher and after leading 14-10 at half-time and then 21-10, two late tries including a Spencer Sutherland try at the death gave Esher the win, although Fylde did pick up 2 bonus points. Hooker Neil Sweeney scored a brace of tries for the home side whilst winger Oli Brenand  did the same for the visitors.

Richmond are still unbeaten although they were surprised by the effective Darlington Mowden Park side, with Gary Law in fine form. A small half-time lead was soon overtaken by Darlington MP in the second period, but two last quarter tries gave the win to a mightily relieved home side. Not for the first time this season they have full-back Rob Kirby to thank for the win both with his incisive running and goal-kicking.

Rosslyn Park in playing Loughborough Students found out as so many sides have already found out this season, that the Students will never give up and are capable of scoring plenty of tries. A narrow half-time lead by Park was soon built on early in the second half, but the Students kept fighting back until 2 late penalties sealed it for Park, although a Jack Pons  try in the 79 min gave the Students a try bonus point. Park are certainly seeing a number of closer games than they perhaps were expecting this season. They also have the advantage of having experienced No 8 Chris Davies, who is leading try scorer on 7.

The only other unbeaten side Tynedale travelled to meet still to win Cinderford. Somewhat against the odds the home side earned their first win. The first half was a close affair but a sudden early second half burst saw 3 home tries with them seemingly out of sight leading 32-14. Two late tries by the visitors left a few nervous last minutes but the Foresters held on for a deserved victory, a win that takes them out of the dreaded bottom three spot.

It was feeling of deja-vu as Coventry Rugby travelled north to Blaydon and were beaten by the same score as last season. Yet the first half seemed so promising for the Midlanders as they led 13-0 at half-time. The home side picked up a gear in the second half as Coventry were not in the game and  a drive and maul  brought Blaydon to within 1 score, but they had to wait until the last 2 minutes to get  the winning try. A loss that leaves Coventry Rugby still looking for their first ever win at Blaydon.

Old Albanian confirmed their poor form this season as they lost heavily again this time to the visiting Blackheath side. With full-back Mike Canty in fine form, the home side had no answer to the pace and finishing of the Blackheath side, despite plenty of their own possession. Their 4^th loss in a row left OA struggling in 15^th place and it looks like they will be facing a difficult season.

Another side struggling is that of newcomers Macclesfield, who themselves had their 4^th loss in a row, this time to Hartpury College. Still pointless having shipped 176 points and only scored 40, they had no answer to the power of the College pack and the kicking and astute play of fly-half Gareth Thompson. Unless Macclesfield can find some new recruits they are looking for a quick return to League 2 North.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

29^th September 2014.