National league 1 week 2 - round 2 results roundup...

...Saturday 12th September 2015 including Loughborough Students v Coventry Rugby.

Results Week 2 Saturday 12^th September.

Ampthill & District                      41         12            Blaydon

Blackheath                                   44         10            Cinderford

Darlington Mowden Park          28         30            Henley Hawks

Hartpury College                         39         12            Fylde

Loughborough Students            12          48           Coventry Rugby

Plymouth Albion                         15          16            Rosslyn Park

Richmond                                     23          16            Hull Ionians

Wharfedale                                 26           46            Esher 

After two rounds only three unbeaten sides remain with just two, Coventry Rugby and Ampthill on 100% records. Loughborough Students, Wharfedale and Cinderford have yet to get their first win. Coventry Rugby had the greatest away victory with Blackheath having the greatest home.

There were larger than expected home victories by Ampthill and Hartpury College, and large away victories by Coventry Rugby and Esher, and close away wins for Rosslyn Park and Henley Hawks.

Coventry Rugby maintained their 100% record with a comprehensive victory at Loughborough Students, who had no answer to the power and scrummaging of the Coventry pack. For the second week running the try bonus was in the bag by half-time and although injuries disrupted Coventry in the second half they ran out comfortable winners. Hartpury College will provide far more of a test next Saturday.

Ampthill & District also kept up their 100% record with a large home victory over Blaydon. Despite conceding an early penalty try the home side had more finishing prowess and experience, especially in the forwards to take control. A good blend of loan players and older wiser heads should ensure that Ampthill have a good season.

Unbeaten Rosslyn Park had more of a struggle as they travelled to meet a virtually new Plymouth Albion side. Perhaps the best time to visit before the new squad settles in. Before the largest NL1 crowd of the day it was always going to be a close battle, with the home side never giving up as they salvaged a late losing bonus point, but did stop Park getting their own bp.

Hartpury College put behind them, their narrow loss at Hull Ionians, with a comprehensive victory over their fancied visitors Fylde. Not for the first time Fylde struggled with their away form, not helped by a late arrival for the game, and another first half red card. Despite calling themselves a college side Hartpury have recruited some experienced old heads in the forwards, thus giving them a platform for their incisive backs.

Possibly the greatest surprise of the day occurred in the north-east as Darlington Mowden Park were beaten by visitors Henley Hawks-obviously not smarting too much from last week’s ten try drubbing by Rosslyn Park. Thanks to a good pack performance in the first half especially from No 8 Robbie Stapley, Henley were 20 nil up by half-time. The home side did come back more into it in the second period as the visitors seemed to run out of steam, but in the end just held on despite two late tries which gave DMP two bonus points.

Another team coming back from a disappointing first round loss Blackheath, more than made up for it with an overwhelming victory over winless Cinderford. The try bonus was already gained by half-time helped by a dominant home pack able to feed plenty of possession to the home backs. On this performance it looks like Cinderford have not improved since last season.

Wharfedale’s poor start to the season continued with a comprehensive home loss to Esher. With Esher’s forwards providing plenty of possession feeding their incisive backs, Esher ran in 3 first half tries followed by a further 3 in the second period. A late flurry by the home side gained them a try bonus but as against Coventry it was too little too late.

The final fixture of Round 2 saw a home victory for Richmond over Hull Ionians, putting behind them last week’s somewhat anaemic display at Albion. Two excellent first half tries by newcomers Ronnie McLean-Dents and Charlie Broughton set them on their way.A much more effective Hull side this season were kept in touch by Isaac Green’s kicking. A late Ionians penalty try gave them hope but Richmond hung on after another penalty by Rob Kirby.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

13th September 2015.