Week 13 National league 1 results round up weekend...

...28th-29th November 2014 including Coventry Rugby v Ealing tfs 

Results Weekend 28^th- 29^th November 2014.

Loughborough Students         30         13           Hartpury College

Blackheath                                48           7           Tynedale

Blaydon                                     39           0           Macclesfield

Coventry Rugby                       32         26          Ealing Tfs

Fylde                                         35          11          Cinderford

Old Albanian                           24          22           Esher

Rosslyn Park                           29           19           Darlington Mowden Park

Wharfedale                            29           19           Richmond

A weekend of 8 home wins with all but one of the winners with a try bonus point. The top four  sides are now seeing daylight between them and  Richmond in 5^th place, whilst further losses by Macclesfield and Cinderford probably leave them too much to do to escape relegation, but the final relegation spot has now sucked in 6 teams only separated by 6 points- a nervous few months are in store for these teams.

For once the designated Match of The Day  between Coventry Rugby and unbeaten leaders Ealing Tfs lived up to expectations, as Coventry achieved their record beating  9^th consecutive win by beating  Ealing and in the process removed Ealing’s unbeaten run of 12 games. A match of increasing intensity as Coventry Rugby shrugged off their opponents  power play, as the home side, in front of their season’s best crowd gradually took control in the last quarter. With both sides scoring 4 tries the key to the type of game was Ealing’s forwards scored 3 of the tries compared to Coventry Rugby’s 3 by their backs.

As a sign of the home sides progression over the years this was their first win in 5 seasons, either  over a promoted side or in this case a favourite for promotion.

With Ealing’s lead cut to just 1 point over Rosslyn Park, Park took full advantage with their own bonus point win over Darlington MP. Once again newcomers  Darlington put up a strong showing especially in the second half yet failed to even get a losing bonus point, a loss which drops them into the final relegation place. A more streetwise Rosslyn Park side had Louis Grimoldby the Quins dr fly-half to thank with his control of the game and goal kicking. A win that leaves Rosslyn just 1 point behind leaders Ealing but drops Darlington MP into the third relegation place.

As expected 4^th placed Fylde had an easy win over a Cinderford side who despite a change of coach, are looking increasingly isolated near the foot of the table.  A narrow half-time lead by the home side later became something of a rout thanks to a foursome by full-back Warren Spragg. Next Saturday sees another crunch match involving Fylde as they travel to third placed Coventry Rugby.

Any lingering thoughts that 5^th placed Richmond would close the gap on the top 4 came up against dry stone wall as they were well beaten by Wharfedale as two late tries including one from blossoming full-back Taylor Prell proved the difference. A crucial win for Dale who are still too close to the third relegation place to relax.

Blackheath whose topsy turvey season continues as another large home win, this time over an inconsistent Tynedale side, now with the second worst defensive record , the win that puts Blackheath within one point of 5^th placed Richmond, but leaves Dale on 6 points from safety.

Blaydon, as expected put their northern visitors Macclesfield to the sword, as their increasingly influential pack and its driving maul took its toll, especially in the second half. Macclesfield were nilled leaving them with too much to do to escape relegation but giving Blaydon some movement away from danger.

Old Albanian are starting to find some form as they beat an Esher side who slumped to their 7^th loss of the season. Despite losing 3-22 at half-time the home side fought back with last quarter tries to move them out the third relegation place no doubt helped by them coping with the usual windswept St Albans weather.

The final game saw the battle of the Students go to the home side Loughborough Students as they found their form to defeat Hartpury College. Once again scrum-half Henry Taylor enhanced his growing reputation with a hat-trick of tries as Hartpury were well beaten before the weekend’s record crowd of more than 1500. The recent poor run by Hartpury has left them just 6 points from safety with Loughborough still 5 points from safety despite this win.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

2^nd December 2014.