National league 1 results round up week 19...

...Saturday 17th January 2015 including Wharfedale v Coventry Rugby.  

Week 19 results - Saturday 17^th January2015

Blaydon                                 31         38           Blackheath

Cinderford                            27         22           Ealing Trailfinders

Esher                                       8          36           Hartpury College

Loughborough Students    14           7            Fylde

Macclesfield                         29         33           Darlington Mowden Park

Old Albanian                         10        19            Rosslyn Park

Richmond                              38        17            Tynedale

Wharfedale                           13        17            Coventry Rugby

A Saturday of snow, sleet, wind, ice and rain, sometimes all in the same match made some of the games a lottery. Of the top four sides only Coventry Rugby and Rosslyn Park managed to win on their travels but both without the bonus point, whilst the biggest shock of the day and possibly the season saw leaders Ealing Trailfinders lose at Cinderford , but they did pick up 2 bonus points. Fylde also surprisingly lost at lowly Loughborough Students which effectively rules them out of the title race.

Cinderford ,carried on where they left off at Tynedale with a narrow home win over leaders Ealing Trailfinders, for their second successive victory which at last lifts Cinderford out of the relegation zone, albeit by 2 points. The home side was always in touch in a close fought battle and came from behind in the last quarter to get the important try, then heroically defended  their own line for the last 10 minutes for a deserved victory. Ealing’s loss reduced their lead over Coventry Rugby to just 4 points,also leaving Cinderford full of confidence as they travel to the BPA next Saturday.

Full of confidence is a suitable expression for Coventry Rugby as they travelled to Wharfedale and not only achieved their first ever win in the Dales but also extended their winning run to 15 games. In appalling weather conditions it was the power of the Coventry pack and driving maul coupled with a supreme defensive performance that ensured the win. A win that reduced Ealing’s lead over Coventry Rugby to just 4 points. By a strange quirk of the fixtures Coventry’s next game is against Cinderford, Ealing’s conquerors in what is expected to be before another record BPA crowd.

Rosslyn Park in third position were also unable to get the try bonus point in beating Old Albanian, whose steely defensive backbone kept Park out until 2 second half tries gave Rosslyn Park a hard fought victory. A win that still keeps Park 4 points behind Coventry but now only 8 points behind leaders Ealing.

If the odds suggested that 4^th placed Fylde were out of the title race,then their away loss at lowly Loughborough Students reinforced the odds. Another close and tense first half was finally settled with a 2^nd half home try. Despite plenty of late pressure the Students hung on for the win, which moves them 4 points away from the danger zone.

The north-east saw an intriguing game between a Blaydon side still not safe from relegation and an inform Blackheath side. The visitors emphasised their credentials by scoring 3 early tries giving them what looked like an unassailable lead, but a fight-back late in the second half with Blaydon’s three tries of their own saw a Blackheath side hanging on  at the end. The 2 BP that Blaydon earned may prove crucial at the end of the season.

Likewise 2 bonus points for bottom side Macclesfield, but this time not escape from relegation as they lost narrowly at home to Darlington Mowden Park An even three- quarters  of the game was finally settled in the final quarter with Macclesfield  receiving 3 yellow cards with in a few minutes of each other. Park took full advantage but a late home fight-back saw the 2 bonus points earned and Darlington hanging on with an impressive defence, a win that finally moves them clear of the danger zone.

Another defeat by Tynedale without a win since November at Richmond saw them drop into 15^th place. Perhaps the score-line didn’t reflect how Tynedale played in the first half as Richmond took their chances. As Dale’s confidence ebbed in the 2^nd half Richmond pulled away for their bonus point victory. Despite this loss Tynedale are still only 4 points from safety.

The final game saw on fire Hartpury College gain their 6^th consecutive win, this time away at Esher. A game somewhat punctuated by penalties, especially in the scrum saw the visitors take advantage in the second half. Once again the plaudits are being heaped on Matt Protherough the young full-back who also can play at fly-half for his scintillating breaks and game control-one certainly to watch for in the future.

A most interesting set of results for those connoisseurs of National League 1 with almost two thirds of the season completed the title race is still wide open between Ealing Trailfinders, Coventry Rugby and Rosslyn Park, whilst in the nether regions it could involve up to 8 sides fighting to escape the 3 relegation places.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

18^th January 2015