Week 18 - round 18 national league 1 previews...

...Saturday 16th January 2016 including Coventry Rugby v Richmond.

Fixtures Week 18 Saturday 16th January 2016.

Blaydon                                      v           Loughborough Students      14.00

Cinderford                                 v           Wharfedale

Coventry Rugby                        v           Richmond

Darlington Mowden Park        v          Blackheath

Esher                                           v          Hartpury College

Fylde                                            v         Plymouth Albion

Henley Hawks                            v          Ampthill & District

Rosslyn Park                               v          Hull Ionians

Week 18 sees all the top 3 sides away and all facing potentially difficult ties, whilst at the other end of the table there are two crucial clashes between 4 of the bottom 5 sides.

Leaders Richmond travel to one of their traditional rivals Coventry Rugby, who have found it a difficult season so far, with close games not going their way. Coventry will be looking to reverse an earlier heavy loss away by Richmond, with the leaders needing the win to maintain their lead at the top. A full preview of this game will follow.

Second placed Blackheath likewise face a difficult away trip to the north-east as they face an inform Darlington Mowden Park, who have now surged up into 6th place, their highest position of the season. In front of what is expected to be a large home crowd Blackheath will have to be at their best to beat a home side, whose recent performances have started to match their pre-season ambitions. A close game in prospect as Blackheath can’t afford to let leaders Richmond get too far ahead.

Third placed Hartpury College travel to fourth placed Esher, with both sides confident of maintain pressure on the top two. Hartpury are only 5 points behind the leaders, whilst Esher, are only 5 points behind their opponents. A close game,which could either way.

Ampthill & District, now up to 5th place travel to relegation threatened Henley Hawks, whose performance against Blackheath last week gives them some encouragement to surprise their visitors. A desperate home side need the win but face an impressive side, who have a pack powerful enough to gain the win.

Fylde have Plymouth Albion as their visitors and although both sides lost last Saturday, Fylde put up the stiffer resistance in holding leaders Richmond to just one point, whilst Albion were surprisingly losing at home to Hull Ionians. Home advantage might just sway it.

 Rosslyn Park down to 8th place, have a buoyant Hull Ionians visiting them, following their surprise win at Albion. Park should be too strong at home but Hull have proved this season that they can be resilient and will be no pushovers.

The first of two key games at the bottom of the league sees Blaydon at home to Loughborough Students. Although both sides are just above the relegation zone a loss by either will leave them under increasing pressure. The Students have found it a difficult season but Blaydon having beaten Wharfedale away should be too strong at home.

The final game sees the bottom two sides meet each other as Cinderford entertain Wharfedale. Whether Adam Balding as new player coach could make any difference at Cinderford ,remains to be seen. However ,surely the side losing this game will have too much to do to escape relegation.

COVENTRY RUGBY V RICHMOND MATCH PREVIEW SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY 2016

This coming Saturday 16th January sees Coventry Rugby entertain one of their traditional rivals Richmond here at the Butts Park Arena, with kick off at 3 pm. Founded in 1861 Richmond became one of the founder members of the RFU in 1871.

Under longstanding Director of Rugby Steve Hill, Richmond after finishing in 7th place for the past two seasons are currently in 1st place on 67 points 3 points ahead of Blackheath, having scored 543 at an average of 32 points per match-the highest in the league. They have suffered only 3 losses so far, losing their first game away to Plymouth Albion 20-33, then another away game at Esher by 34-41, and just before Christmas losing at home to Hartpury College 21-27

Earlier in the season Coventry Rugby travelled to the Athletic Ground and were beaten 31-7, their largest defeat by Richmond for some seasons.

Pre-season Richmond strengthened their squad with some key signings and have a number of Quins Academy dual registered players available to them. Richmond have also benefited this season by having very few team changes to contend with, and this has helped them to their excellently consistent record.

Key new recruits include centre Cameron Mitchell and flanker Jack Allcock both from DMP, winger Charlie Broughton from Rosslyn Park  and former Coventry player centre Ronnie Mclean-Dents from Ealing Tfs. Quins have assisted with prop Seb Adeniran-Olule and scrum-half Sam Stuart, whilst hooker Ross Grimstone has come from Dorking and fly-half Rory Lynn from Nottingham.

The front row has been further boosted by prop Stefan North from Blackheath, Gino Corradi and Cauldon Pike with new signing flanker Matteo Zambruno.

Yet the core of last team’s squad remain led by captain and lock Will Warden , fellow lock Charlie Lenygon, centurion prop Timmy Walford, prop Ali Lyon and hooker Jason Phipps.

An impressive back row is spoilt for choice with another centurion Chris Davies, and flankers   Tom Sargeant and Ben Lonergen, and recent regular Jamie Thompson.

The backs also have some experience with centre Rory Damant, Andy Hall at either No 10 or 15, and winger Adam Gadsby. Scrum-halfs James Gibbs and Callum Grant also remain, and mention must be made of Rob Kirby at full-back who is capable to winning games both with his goal-kicking and breaks from deep.

A difficult game for Coventry Rugby to face as this season they have found it difficult to close games out from a leading position, and in visitors Richmond they face the most experienced and consistent team in the league.

Another large and indeed hopeful Coventry crowd is expected to give their support to their City team on Saturday for this 3 pm kick off.  

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

13th January 2016.