Week 23 results round up with match previews 25th February..

Week 23 results round up with match previews 25th February including Blaydon v Coventry rugby.

Results 18^th February

Barking           23             29    Blackheath

Blaydon          12             10    Ealing Tfs

Cambridge     15              30   Birmingham Solihull

Macclesfield   40              10   Coventry

Sedgley Park  11               13   Jersey

Stourbridge     18              25   Cinderford

Tynedale           17             22    Fylde

Wharfedale        8                7    Rosslyn Park

A majority of low scoring and close games this week with only two teams not managing at least one point from these games, a misfiring  Coventry side against Macclesfield and Cambridge who were thumped by relegation candidates Birmingham Solihull.           

Jersey consolidate their lead at the top with a late penalty winner over Sedgley Park, whilst Ealing come back from the north east with only a losing bonus point to show for their long journey.

Fylde and Macclesfield continue to put pressure on the top two in case they slip up with impressive wins over Tynedale and Coventry respectively.

An interesting scenario is occurring at the bottom of the league, although Wharfedale and Coventry might not agree, as Birmingham Solihull continue their great escape plans with a bonus point win away at cash strapped Cambridge. Another loss for Barking and Cinderford’s win away at Stourbridge puts more pressure on Barking and Stourbridge with only Birmingham Solihull showing any form of the bottom three sides.

Coventry’s poor showing away at Macclesfield now puts them in the mix close to the bottom with Wharfedale,  despite their win over Rosslyn Park. Some more sleepless nights and nervous weeks lie ahead I think.

Re-arranged fixtures 25^th February match previews

Birmingham Solihull    v    Barking

Blaydon                           v    Coventry

Cinderford                       v    Wharfedale

Ealing Tfs                          v    Sedgley Park

Fylde                                  v    Cambridge

Rosslyn Park                     v    Macclesfield

A somewhat truncated fixture list this week, as they consist of re-arranged ones from previously postponed matches from the past few weeks.

With Jersey not having to play, home wins for Fylde and Ealing Tfs will put them back in the mix for promotion, and Macclesfield must fancy their chances at misfiring Rosslyn Park.

The real interest is over the bottom three relegation places, with Birmingham Solihull buoyant after their win at Cambridge must consider themselves favourites to beat bottom club Barking at home. Such a win would put them above Stourbridge and more pressure on both Wharfedale and Coventry who both face difficult away fixtures.

Blaydon v Coventry Rugby match preview

Coventry Rugby face their 2^nd attempt to trek north to Blaydon this Saturday 25^th February, kick off 2.15pm at Crow Trees, Swalwell.

Since the original fixture was postponed in January both teams have had diametrically opposite fortunes with Blaydon now above Coventry in the league in 10^th place, having won their last three games including impressive wins away at Fylde and last week at home to Ealing Tfs. Coventry on the other hand still smarting from their poor performance at Macclesfield have now only taken 4 points from their last 7 games and are back in 12^th spot.

Blaydon have a game in hand over Coventry  but are 4 points ahead with 9 wins, including doubles over Cambridge and Fylde, and a home win over Macclesfield.

Under DOR Micky Ward and coach Hall Charlton using their Newcastle Falcons experience they have a strong pack with prop R Kalbraier, Chris Wearmouth at lock and Rob Bell in the back row. In centre Andrew Baggett they also have a leading goal-kicker and speedy wingers Fraser Wilson and Simon Barker.

Another difficult away fixture for Coventry as they look to bed in some of their new signings and remove any threat of relegation.

TomLittle

Coventry Rugby press office