Week 20 national league 1 results round up 24th January 2015

...including Coventry Rugby v Cinderford.

Results week 20 - Saturday 24^th January 2015.

Blackheath                                 17         7         Wharfedale

Coventry Rugby                         32       22         Cinderford

Darlington Mowden Park        30        22         Esher

Ealing Trailfinders                     63        36         Richmond

Fylde                                            12        35         Hartpury College

Loughborough Students           30        20         Old Albanian

Rosslyn Park                                20        15         Blaydon

Tynedale                                      20         22        Macclesfield

Two thirds of the season gone with still only 8 points separating the top three sides, or put another way 2 wins, whilst at the bottom sees a gap opening up between the bottom 4 sides and the rest. A Saturday of no less than  4 hat-tricks including wingers Dan Rundle and Phil Chesters setting themselves up nicely for a possibly clash in the Ealing v Coventry game in March.

The carpet bowls surface at Ealing Trailfinders saw 15 tries scored with the hosts running in 4 in 20 minutes being gazed at in admiration by a Richmond side. Scrum-half Alex Walker chipped in with a hat-trick to go with that of Phil Chesters. Defensive lapses by Ealing allowed a more determined Richmond side to come out in the second half scoring 6 tries in total themselves. I leave it to others to judge whether this type of surface is rugby as we know it or indeed the way forward.

Coventry Rugby found their opponents Cinderford in resolute mood as they carried on from their exploits against Ealing the previous week. A fractured game not helped by slow ball at the rucks and a referee taking exception to the home sides scrum even when going forward. The resultant penalties halted some encouraging field positions for Coventry. However the cold afternoon, before a record attendance, was lighted up by Dan Rundle’s skilful footballing skills and searing pace bringing him 3 tries, with of course a try from the usual barnstorming Will Hurrell. An important 16^th successive win for Coventry Rugby, not just for the post-war record but to keep them within 1 win of leaders Ealing.

Rosslyn Park had their own troubles with a narrow win over a resilient Blaydon side, who came back strongly after being behind 15-3 at half-time to get within sight of third placed Park. The lack of any successful kicks didn’t help the home cause  but in the end a late bonus point try sealed it, keeping them within 8 points of Ealing and 4 from Coventry.

It was the 10^th time unsuccessful as Tynedale lost again, this time at home to visitors and bottom side Macclesfield. The advantage of the wind saw Dale leading 17-7 at half-time, but with nothing to lose Macclesfield got stronger as the game went on with a late minute penalty giving them the victory. Too late to save Macclesfield but leaves Tynedale firmly entrenched in the second relegation place.

It was another crunch game between 2 sides at the wrong end of the table as Loughborough Students met Old Albanian. A close game saw the Students ease to a first half lead of 10-3, but this was counteracted early in the second half with two OA tries. Loughborough stepped up their game and two late tries of their own settled the affair. This win puts the Students 9 points clear of the danger zone but leaves Old Albanian still in the final relegation place.

Another win by Blackheath, this time over their visitors Wharfedale sees them in 5^th place and now only 4 points behind Fylde. In a tight game an early 2^nd half penalty try to Dale gave the home side a few nervous moments but Blackheath always had the edge and their score was only kept down by Wharfedale’s resolute defence. A loss that leaves Wharfedale 11 points ahead of danger but now surely safe with their game in hand.

Darlington Mowden Park assisted by a couple of new players maintained their recent better form with a win over Esher. Once again Park made it difficult for themselves in the second half, but this win makes them virtually safe in their inaugural year in National League 1, but Esher drop to 9^th-surely not their wish for at the start of the season.

Perhaps if earlier in the season, the result at Fylde being beaten by league newcomers Hartpury College would have been classified as the surprise of the round. However such as been Hartpury’s  seamless passage into this league that their comprehensive bonus point win causes only a few ripples. Gloucester Academy player backrower Dan Thomas set the scene with a hat-trick of tries   with the bonus point already achieved by half-time. A win that moves Hartpury College up to the heady heights of 6^th place, and leaves Fylde in 4^th, but now susceptible to Blackheath on their tails.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

25^th January 2015.