National league 1 results round up week 14...

...Saturday 12th December 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Blackheath.

Fixtures Week 14 Saturday 12th December 2015.

Blaydon                           P                      Henley Hawks

Cinderford               17        20               Rosslyn Park

Coventry Rugby      16        24               Blackheath

Esher                         14        22               Darlington Mowden Park

Fylde                                P                       Ampthill & District

Hull Ionians               15       16               Wharfedale

Plymouth Albion       34      27               Loughborough Students

Richmond                   21      27               Hartpury College  

Poor weather on Saturday saw the postponement of games at Blaydon and Fylde, whether this also had the effect on only 2 bonus point wins and one home win amongst the remaining 6 ties is open to conjecture.

Defeats for leader Richmond and 4th placed Esher has allowed the top 5 sides now to be separated by just 10 points. With Blaydon’ postponement against Henley Hawks, Wharfedale took advantage with an away win at Hull Ionians.

The top of the table clash between Richmond and Hartpury College proved how difficult this season is going to be for title challengers. There was only one score in it throughout the match, neither side were able to score in the final quarter. With Gloucester starlet scrum-half Ben Vellacott  pulling the strings College were overall the better side despite  two yellow cards. Richmond made too many mistakes to take full advantage, but they still top the league but now only by 1 point.

Another side unable to take full advantage of yellow cards was Coventry Rugby as they slumped to their 7th loss of the season, before a  seasons record BPA crowd  against old rivals Blackheath. For the second match running Coventry were unable to take advantage of a dominant scrum and line out in a wind affected match. Coventry’s lead was not enough at half-time then a series of self -inflicted wounds gave the initiative back to Blackheath, whose tackling and line kicking was immense. This win moves third placed Blackheath to within 3 points of Richmond, but drops Coventry back to 8th place, surely finally ending any slim chance they had of promotion.

Esher in 4th place were  themselves  unable to take advantage as they were beaten at home by an improving Darlington Mowden Park side, whose physical presence thwarted the home side’s ambitions. For the second week running replacement prop Simon Uzokwe scored the winning try lifting DMP to 9th place, but leaving Esher still in 4th but now 7 points from the top.

A team that did take advantage of Esher’s loss was Rosslyn Park, who have recently picked up the habit of winning close matches even when not at their best. So it was against lowly Cinderford who led with a second half Nev Codlin try until a late try gave Park the important 4 points. This brings Rosslyn Park within 10 points of the top but leaves Cinderford in 15th place 4 points from safety.

Plymouth Albion kept their winning run going, which took them up to 6th place, with a bonus point victory over Loughborough Students. The home pack was always in control and a hat-trick of tries from lock Neil Acres ensured the win. The loss still leaves Loughborough Students only 4 points above the danger zone.

The final game saw a welcome win for Wharfedale away to Hull Ionians. Seemingly in control at half-time Hull Ionians saw their visitors take control with an early try and 3 James Guy penalties. Wharfedale managed to hang on for this crucial win leaving them now only 3 points from safety.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

13th December 2015