National league 1 results round up week 25 - round 25...

...Saturday 19th March 2016 including Coventry Rugby v Cinderford.

Week 25 Results Saturday 19th March 2016

Coventry Rugby                        33          27          Cinderford                      crowd            851

Esher                                           42         29          Blaydon                                                   332

Fylde                                           35          21          Henley Hawks                                       783

Hartpury College                      54          29          Wharfedale                                           252

Hull Ionians                               20           22         Darlington Mowden Park          L       201

Loughborough Students         32           37         Rosslyn Park                                         243

Plymouth Albion                      20           19         Blackheath                                   H     1680

Richmond                                 19            19         Ampthill & District                               525

A second draw for the season for leaders Richmond sees their lead over Hartpury College reduced to 10 points, with just 5 games to go, whilst a convenient defeat for previous  challengers  Blackheath effectively ends their title hopes.

All bottom 6 sides lost, although it was only bottom side Henley Hawks who were unable to get even 1 losing bonus point, effectively sealing their fate.

As expected Richmond had a hard game against 4th placed Ampthill & District, but despite a home  19-0 half-time lead the famed set piece of the visitors began to dominate and they took control of the 2nd half as Ampthill deservedly earned the draw. Certainly work to be done on the set piece if Richmond are promoted.

Hartpury College kept their pressure on the leaders with another bonus point win over a relegation threatened Wharfedale. Home winger Jonas Mikalcius scored four tries, but in an open game Wharfedale kept pressing and were rewarded with a try bonus point of their own, it might prove valuable at the end of the season but they are still 10 points from safety.

The then 3rd placed Blackheath’s chances of promotion have evaporated with a close loss away to Plymouth Albion who takeover third place and drop Blackheath down to 5th. Albion’s largest crowd of the season saw a nervous and close affair with their visitors just missing a late penalty to snatch victory. An excellent season for Albion considering their traumas from last year. They are certainly putting a marker down for next season.

Another side putting their marker down is Darlington Mowden Park whose away win at Hull Ionians leaves the home side nervously looking over their shoulder being only 10 points from danger. Once again Hull Ionians were unable to hold onto a lead.

Esher duly obtained their  try bonus point against visitors Blaydon, who to their credit kept going and achieved their own try bonus point which at least keeps then 11 points ahead of the relegation zone.

An expected try bonus pojnt occurred at the seaside as Fylde overcame bottom side Henley Hawks. Fylde were ahead 28-14 at half-time but the 2nd half was a quieter affair with Henley unable to take inroads until too late. This loss virtually seals the fate for Henley Hawks.

A much closer affair was at Loughborough Students, in a high scoring encounter as Rosslyn Park ran out winners. A hat-trick by No 8 Hugo Ellis was the difference  but 2 late Students tries gave them 2 bonus points  which virtually makes them safe being 12 points ahead of the danger zone.

The final game saw Coventry Rugby break a sequence of 4 straight losses but were never able to relax against a Cinderford side determined to get at least a bonus point. A very loose game by Coventry and missed chances always gave the visitors a foothold and in scoring 4 tries of their own were able to gain 2 bonus points. However this loss effectively seals Cinderford’a fate as they are still 14 points from safety.

There will be no preview this week as the whole of NL1 have a blank Saturday over Easter with no games scheduled. The next game involving Coventry Rugby will be on Saturday 2nd April away to Henley Hawks.

A peaceful Easter to the Coventry Rugby team and all supporters.

Tom little

Coventry Rugby press office

21st March 2016