Nat league 1 results round up - round 25 Saturday 23rd March

Results 23^rd March

Ealing Tfs            12           11       Blaydon

Rosslyn Park       29            9        Blackheath

Tynedale             20           15       Richmond

The following 5 fixtures were all postponed due to snow and/or travel difficulties. Their re-arranged dates are not yet available

Cambridge      v        Wharfedale

Cinderford       v        Old Albanian

Coventry          v        Esher

Macclesfield    v        Fylde

Sedgley Park    v        Loughborough Students

In sub-arctic conditions only three games survived results of which clarify what is happening at the top of the league. Surely not too early to congratulate Ealing whose victory over their closest rival Blaydon puts them 17 points ahead with just 5 games left. If results go their way next week they could become Champions.

Showing their pedigree with an ability to come from behind a late try from former Coventry player Ronnie Mclean-Dents saw Ealing home over a resilient Blaydon pack who fought all the way. The most consistent side going un-beaten for 12 games and then their ability to pick up wins from adversity gave the side with arguably the largest playing budget the win. Yet a poor crowd of 438  even allowing for the weather for this top of the table match will need to be increased for them to hold their own in the Championship.

Rosslyn Park go into 3^rd place and now only  2 points behind Blaydon as they obtained a bonus point win over London rivals Blackheath, dominant in most areas of the game and helped by winger Charlie Broughton’s 2 tries the home side were deserved winners. With Head Coach Jan Bonney leaving at the end of the season, and the new position going part-time a strong rumour suggests that Alex Codling will be back on his way to the area.

The final game saw Tynedale ease their relegation worries with a hard fought win over Richmond. Despite a red card for foul play the home side, forced to play with 14 men for over half the game and then down to 13  as the end approached, put on one of their best defensive performances to move them 10 points from the chasing Macclesfield. A win that surely removes any lingering fears buts puts more pressure on Wharfedale  and Macclesfield  chasing them.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

24^th March 2013