National league 1 results round up....

week 29th Saturday 23rd April 2016 including Coventry Rugby v Ampthill & District.

Week 29 Results Saturday 23rd April 2016.

Blaydon                                27           14               Darlington Mowden Park         crowd  710

Cinderford                           34           27               Henley Hawks                                          450      

Coventry Rugby                  25           19               Ampthill & District                                 1435

Esher                                    21           24               Blackheath                                                 612

Fylde                                     19           15               Wharfedale                                               796

Hull Ionians                         38           27                Loughborough Students             L          339

Plymouth Albion                 35           26               Hartpury College                          H       1843

Richmond                            22            25               Rosslyn Park                                            1247

The penultimate round of games saw no less than 5 out of the top 6 all lose-the first time this has happened this season, but too late to affect the status quo. Despite nothing being at stake but pride there were 3 attendances over 1000 with both Coventry Rugby and Plymouth Albion having their largest gate of the season, in fact these 3 NL1 attendances higher than 4 of the Championship attendances on Saturday.

Champions Richmond found Rosslyn Park a step too far at the Athletic Ground before a large crowd, as Park continued  their fine recent form in a fluctuating game. The attacking flair of the visitors gave them a narrow half-time lead before a home fight back saw Richmond take the lead. It was left to a late Paul Mackey try to seal it for Park taking them up to 5th place.

Before the league’s largest crowd of the season 1843 2nd placed Hartpury College travelled to Plymouth Albion and indeed met their Albion, as a fired up home side made their feelings felt over the sacking of Graham Dawe by the new owners. In an exciting game Albion, trailing at half-time after 3 Hartpury tries came back strongly to earn a well deserved victory which could have taken them into 5th place before the 30 point deduction. Hartpury College stay in 2nd place but now equal on points with Ampthill.

Another side with their largest crowd of the season Coventry Rugby denied their visitors Ampthill & District the win required to take them into 2nd place. Unbeaten now in 5 games, Coventry had the edge in the backs, but had to withstand an abrasive pummelling from the much vaunted Ampthill pack. The biggest cheer of the afternoon came when an attacking 5m scrum by the visitors was pushed off the ball by the home side.

Esher lost a close game to their visitors Blackheath. A good first half by Esher saw them take an early lead before a 2nd half fightback by Blackheath gave them the spoils. The win keeps Blackheath in 4th place but drops Esher down to 6th place.

The north-east battle, which in some ways has been more entertaining off than on the field, between Blaydon and Darlington Mowden Park, saw Blaydon put their early season struggles behind them as their pack took control, over a DMP side which has recently faded and are now back in 7th place. It was an even first half but an early 2nd half surge saw Blaydon take the lead which they never relinquished.

A rather flat Fylde side finished off their home season with a close run win over already relegated Wharfedale. Trailing at half-time it needed 2 late tries rather against the run of play to deny the visitors a deserved victory.

Hull Ionians, now safe with the pressure off them had a fine attacking win over Loughborough Students, with the try bonus earned well before half-time. Despite 2 late Students tries in the 2nd half Ionians held on for a deserved victory as they finish the league in a creditable 12th spot.

The final game between the two relegated sides Cinderford and Henley Hawks turned out to be a lively wake as both sides achieved their try bonus points. In the end a better home first half gave Cinderford the margin to hold onto the win despite a late Hawks fightback.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

25th April 2016.