Week 8 - league 1 previews 25.10.2014...
By Tom Little
October 21 2014
...including Macclesfield v Coventry Rugby.
Week 8 - Fixtures Saturday 25th October 2014.
Blaydon v Old Albanian
Cinderford v Rosslyn Park
Darlington Mowden Park v Fylde
Esher v Ealing Tfs
Hartpury College v Tynedale
Macclesfield v Coventry Rugby
Richmond v Blackheath
Wharfedale v Loughborough Students
Key game of Week 8 is the London derby between 7th placed Esher and unbeaten leaders Ealing Tfs. Ambitious Esher, who have recently unveiled plans for a new stand, have had a mixed start to the season, having lost last Saturday at Tynedale. Ealing on the other hand have had an imperious start being unbeaten and having strengthened considerably their pack from last season. Yet the home side cannot be written off as they are a good all round team with a pack that has the capability to match Ealing’s. A close game should however go to Ealing leaving the question, are there any teams out there capable of inflicting a defeat over the favourites?
It is hardly a surprise to see Fylde up to 2nd in the league after their exploits last season, but they face a tricky visit to one of their northern rivals Darlington Mowden Park. A few recent wobbles by the newcomers together with a 5 point deduction has somewhat tarnished their opening start to their NL1 appearances, but they still have enough experience to trouble Fylde. Whether they have enough to stop their visitors try scoring ability remains to be seen, but in a feisty encounter I expect that Fylde will just come out on top.
Cinderford who have not had their own best of starts despite being competitive in most games, face another difficult opponent in Rosslyn Park making their visit to the Forest. With third placed Park needing to consolidate and stay on the tails of Ealing and Fylde, expect a hard fought game, although Cinderford can take heart from their second half fight-back against Blackheath, despite this, Park are favourites for the win.
After 7 straight losses Macclesfield can’t relish the visit of Coventry Rugby to Priory Park after Coventry’s excellent win over Richmond. A win that moves Coventry up to 4thplace as they will look for their 4thconsecutive win. A full preview of this game will follow.
After two straight losses, Richmond will need to bounce back as they take on Blackheath at the RAG. Despite Richmond’s two losses, Blackheath have been less consistent than their hosts but after a good win over Cinderford feel they can defeat and thus overtake their London rivals in the league. However Richmond are still a formidable team and should win this encounter.
After Hartpury College successful visit to the North-East last Saturday, it is now the turn of Tynedale to come down to Gloucestershire. College are certainly finding their feet at this level with as a win for them could see them overtake their visitors into 6th place. However Tynedale are also finding some form, having beaten Esher last week, so a hard fought and close game is expected.
Both Blaydon and their opponents Old Albanian have been struggling this season, but winless OA appear to have the harder task, especially away from home, to match the power of the home pack. Yet Blaydon will still be smarting after being nilled in the second half at Loughborough Students, whilst OA did better than expected at Fylde. May be closer than expected but Blaydon should just sneak it.
The final game sees those experts in second half recoveries meeting as Wharfedale and Loughborough Students meet in the Dales. It is a shame both sides can’t play a shortened version of the game, but the winner who can keep going for 80 minutes should win it. Dale need this victory to make sure they don’t get sucked into the bottom three and they are expected to make home advantage count and win a narrow victory over the Students.
Macclesfield V Coventry Rugby match preview - Saturday 25th October 2014
Coventry Rugby travel to Priory Park on Saturday 25th October 2014, kick off 3pm, to renew acquaintance with Macclesfield, also known as “The Blues” whom they last met in season 2012/13.
Founded in 1877 Macclesfield moved to the Priory Park site in 1980.working their way up the leagues joining National League 1 in season 2010/11 when they finished 4th, followed by 6th in season 2011/12. In The next season 2012/13 they were relegated back to National League 2 North, but last season they were promoted back to National League 1 as Champions having won 26 games, losing just 3 and drawing 1.
When the two clubs last met two seasons ago Coventry Rugby won the home fixture 38-3, but lost narrowly away 13-16.
Macclesfield have had to deal with a difficult start to the season as their ebullient Director of Rugby Geoff Wappett moved onto Hull RUFC after 6 years at the helm. New Head Coach Giles Heagerty was appointed internally, assisted by Player and Skills Coach Tom Eaton, but with a very restricted budget has had to deal with the recruitment of mainly local players .
Initial fixtures have been very unkind to Macclesfield as they have had to face most of the top half sides in their first 8 games, not giving them time to acclimatise to the pace of National League 1 rugby. This gulf in class has manifested itself with a run of 7 successive defeats, with the worst defensive record in the league. Away they have lost to Esher, Darlington MP, and last Saturday 73-15 to Ealing Tfs, whilst even at home they have lost to Richmond, Fylde by 47-0, Hartpury College, and Tynedale.
Since last season Macclesfield have lost their top two try scorers with No 8 Ryan Parkinson with 32 tries off to Sedgley Park, and winger Ed Stobart on 23 tries who has retired. However Coventry fans may still remember centre Elliott Brierley who scored 17 tries last season, and experienced goal-kicking fly-half and skills coach Tom Eaton. Other key players such as winger Matt King and lock Dave Marwick remain from that era.
Always having a renowned pack Macclesfield have found the step up in class very difficult to manage not helped by some key injuries. Yet the pack is not without experience with Chris Jones at lock together with Dean Williams and Jonny Kenny. Mike Finnemore is at No 7 and captain, with prop Billy Robinson retained from last season, with front row new recruits Elliot Millar-Mills, Ryan Jackson from NSW, and Luke Frixou from Derby, with hooker Sam Moss evidently returned from Sale FC.
Two more new signings in the pack include lock Ben Jones from Caldy and flanker Max Smith. If Macclesfield can get enough possession they are capable of scoring tries being orchestrated at scrum-half by Jordan Brookes, and centre Matt O’Regan. New recruits in the backs are Josh Fowles on the wing from Longton, and full-back Greg Newton also from Longton. Centres Ollie Fewtrell from Derby and Rhodri Mayor from Sale FC complete a pacey back division.
Despite the home side’s poor record Coventry Rugby cannot take them too lightly as they have never won at Priory Park. Any complacency would be punished as Macclesfield look for their first win of the season. This most crucial win is needed by Coventry to maintain pressure on the top 3 and to get their 4th consecutive victory to continue their best run of the season.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
21st October 2014.
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