National league 1 week 29 - round 29...

Saturday 12th April 2014 match previews including Coventry Rugby v Doncaster Knights.

Fixtures Week 29 - Saturday 12^th April

Blaydon                     v     Fylde

Cinderford                v      Esher

Coventry Rugby       v      Doncaster Knights

Henley Hawks          v      Loughborough Students

Hull Ionians              v      Rosslyn Park

Old Albanian            v      Worthing Raiders

Richmond                 v      Tynedale

Wharfedale              v      Blackheath

The penultimate Saturday of the season could see promotion finally settled and equally the three relegated teams finalised but after such an exciting season all such decisions could still by decided on the afternoon of the 26^th April.

Key game this Saturday sees league leaders Doncaster Knights visit Coventry Rugby, needing the win to maintain pressure over the chasing Rosslyn Park. Before what is expected to be a record BPA crowd Coventry Rugby need to put behind them their latest performance at Rosslyn Park as they attempt to keep onto 3^rd place. A full preview of this game will follow at the end of this general preview.

Waiting in the wings for any slip up by Doncaster will be Rosslyn Park, who have on paper at least the much easier fixture at already relegated Hull Ionians. After Park’s comprehensive win over Coventry they will be overwhelming favourites for another bonus point win which would extend their challenge for promotion until the last Saturday of the season, as well as bringing them closer to the Knights slightly better points difference.

Blaydon at home to Fylde is effectively the battle for fourth place and even third if Coventry slip up in their last two games. Both sides are well matched with the Blaydon pack having a slight edge whilst the Fylde backs have the same. In the end it will probably just go to home advantage in what could be a high scoring encounter.

The interest switches to the other end of the table as Henley Hawks have Loughborough Students at their home. With Henley ensconced in the final relegation place this is a must win game for them, as another loss would probably be enough to see them relegated. However a win could then put the Students in serious trouble which would then make each team’s games on the 26^th April crucial with the loser filling the final relegation place.

Another side needing the win to give them even the slimmest chance of survival is Worthing Raiders as they travel to Old Albanian. Even a win for the south coast side may not be enough  as they will then have to rely on other teams results. An ability to score plenty of tries and gain bonus points has not guaranteed them success as they have been unable to win their close encounters.

Cinderford also require a win to virtually guarantee their safety as they have Esher as their visitors. Two points ahead of the danger zone and with still two games in hand they should be safe and will be so if they win and both Henley and Worthing lose. Esher can be inconsistent away from home so Cinderford should be slight favourites for a close win.

With Tynedale themselves theoretically requiring one more win for safety their away trip to Richmond, could be a close and tense affair. It could go either way but Tynedale might just shade it.

The final game sees a mid-table clash between Wharfedale and Blackheath. With both sides safe it could still be a close affair with the home side slight favourites for the win.

COVENTRY RUGBY  V  DONCASTER KNIGHTS MATCH PREVIEW SATURDAY 12^TH APRIL

This coming Saturday 12^th April sees Coventry Rugby’s penultimate game of the season as league leaders Doncaster Knights visit the Butts Park Arena for a usual 3 pm kick off. Before what is expected to be the largest BPA crowd of the season a mouth-watering clash is in prospect as Doncaster Knights need to win to keep ahead of the chasing Rosslyn Park, whilst Coventry Rugby need to put behind them their performance at Rosslyn Park as they want to reward their many followers with a game that should confirm their future promise and allow them to finish in third position.

Doncaster were founded in 1875 one year after Coventry Rugby. Over the years steady progress was made through the leagues up to the Championship. Lottery funds were used to develop the Castle Park ground. However last season they were relegated and still under Director of Rugby Clive Griffiths, assisted  by Glen Kenworthy and Darren Morris  Doncaster Knights are currently in pole position on 113 points, 4 ahead of Rosslyn Park both with the same number of wins 23, with them hoping for an immediate return to the Championship. Despite relegation last season Doncaster Knights have managed to keep a largely full-time squad of players thanks to the club’s benefactors matching the loss of RFU monies, believed to be about 28 full-time players. Despite being the only full-time outfit in this league Doncaster have been involved in some close games  and have lost 5 games so far all away, to Henley Hawks, Blaydon, Wharfedale, Fylde and Rosslyn Park two weeks ago.

When Coventry Rugby visited them earlier in the season Coventry lost 39-30 after leading at half-time, only to face a second half onslaught by the home side. There does seem to be a pattern emerging that Doncaster  often struggle in the first half but can go on to overwhelm opponents in the second, helped no doubt by their  fitness. Doncaster Knights have so far scored the highest number of tries , have the second best defensive record, and the best points difference.

Despite relegation Doncaster have managed to keep  a nucleus of last season’s squad including lock and captain Matt Challinor, half-backs Jamie Lennard at No 10 and Chris Hallam at No 9.After a spell out injured experienced back and goal-kicker Dougie Flockhart is back and increasingly influential. The pack has flanker Adam Kettle and Jack Bergmanes as hooker, whilst winger Tyson Lewis is a fast and mobile wing who has already scored 21 tries to lead the league’s list.

An inspired signing has been centre David ( Matt ) Clark from Leeds Carnegie who has scored 20 tries together with Bevon Armitage another centre in from Plymouth Albion and Argentinian scrum half Bruno Bravo. Full-back Glenn Bryce has come from Jersey whilst Paul Jarvis who previously trained at Coventry plays either at full-back or wing. More new recruits include flankers  Chris Walker from New Zealand and Michael Hills from London Welsh, and full-back Jacob Woodhouse from Manley.

Hooker Robert Santamaria has come from Aironi, whilst following an injury crisis Leicester Tigers have supplied prop forward  Riccardo Brugera on a DR  loan basis.

Doncaster Knights have proved to be one of the most consistent sides in this league and managing to win even if not playing to the top of their game. Their second half prowess at coming from behind to win games means that Coventry Rugby will need to be at the top of their own game for the whole 80 minutes. A crucial win is required from Doncaster as their promotion rivals Rosslyn Park have a potentially easy game at Hull Ionians.

Coventry Rugby after their disappointing display at Rosslyn Park need to get back on track as a win would virtually guarantee themselves third place.

For supporters of both sides coming to the game please allow plenty of time as a record crowd is expected at the Butts Park Arena with kick off at 3pm.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

8^th April 2014.