Week 25 national league 1 results round up...

...Saturday 7th March 2015 including Darlington Mowden Park v Coventry Rugby.  

Week 25 Results Saturday 7^th March 2015.

Cinderford                                  15        22        Blaydon

Darlington Mowden Park        32       25         Coventry Rugby

Esher                                           13       35          Rosslyn Park

Hartpury College                       19       12          Blackheath

Macclesfield                              22        35          Loughborough Students

Richmond                                  34        20          Old Albanian

Tynedale                                     17       29          Ealing Trailfinders

Wharfedale                                 24       24          Fylde

Week 25 saw the top two sides get their away bonus point wins leaving Ealing in pole position with only an unexpected   loss of form as the only way they could slip up now. The final relegation place now appears to be a straight fight between Cinderford and Old Albanian.

Ealing Trailfinders  made  possibly their last trip to the north-east as they had a bonus point win over Tynedale. Once again the finishing power of the Ealing backs led by a hat-trick by Phil Chesters paved the way, however a strong home fight-back in the second half saw a more even contest, and despite plenty of possession Tynedale were unable to get the losing bp. Tynedale could still surprise a few teams before the end of the season but being 11 points from safety is surely too much to make up.

Hoping for a slip up by the leaders, Rosslyn Park travelled to their neighbours Esher , who couldn’t maintain their form found against Coventry and Ealing. With the Park back row in fine form led by a brace of tries from Esher old boy Mike Macfarlane, Rosslyn Park were convincing winners although still 9 points behind Ealing.

Another disappointing defeat for Coventry Rugby ,as they travelled to Darlington Mowden Park. Despite a dominant Coventry scrum too many errors and ill-discipline cost them the game,as well as a controversial disallowed Dan Rundle try. The incisive home backs proved the difference, a win that moves Park into 8^th place and sets down a marker for next season, whilst Coventry Rugby need to re-group for a difficult home fixture against Tynedale.

A must win game for Cinderford resulted in a narrow defeat at home to Blaydon. A narrow half-time lead by the home side was overturned with a strong Blaydon performance in the second half, but it took a late penalty to give the home side a losing bonus point which narrowed the gap between Cinderford and Old Albanian to 5 points.

Old Albanian were unable to take advantage of Cinderford’s loss, when visiting  Richmond, whose second half performance overturned the OA half-time lead. With the home side upping their game in the second half clinical finishing led to a brace of tries each for centre Henry Cheeseman and winger Will Brown. This loss leaves Old Albanian still in danger with effectively the final relegation place between them and Cinderford.

A close game was in prospect in the Dales as Wharfedale met neighbours Fylde. Reality confirmed it with 24 all draw, with Fylde having to play most of the game a man short due to a red card. However their effective off-loading and passing game saw them score 3 tries, with the home side’s more pragmatic approach and dominant pack gaining them plenty of possession, but Fylde stood firm with honours even.

Despite losing at Hartpury College, Blackheath took advantage of Fylde’s loss as their losing bonus point took them into 4^th place. Not for the first time this season College belied their recent elevation to this league, although evidently it was a poor game full of errors. Once again the shining light of full-back Matt Protheroe shone through with his winning try giving the home side the victory , which brings them to within 6 points of  4^th place.

The final game saw Loughborough Students finally confirm their survival in this league with a 5 try win over already relegated Macclesfield. Drawing at half-time it was the Students who pulled away in the second half helped with a brace of tries from centre Rhys Owen, with scrum half Henry Taylor pulling the strings.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

9^th March 2015.