Week 3 - league 1 round-up Saturday 20th September 2014.

Results: Week 3 - Saturday 20th September…

Blackheath                                29          19         Loughborough Students

Coventry Rugby                        37         16         Old Albanian

Darlington Mowden Park       32         24         Cinderford

Ealing Tfs                                   36           7         Blaydon

Esher Rugby                              53         15        Macclesfield

Fylde                                          22          17       Rosslyn Park

Hartpury College                     17          59       Richmond

Tynedale                                   20          17       Wharfedale 

Another week of results following the form book with apologies to Rosslyn Park whose game with Fylde was as close as expected .Some excellent goal-kicking this week but the theme seems to be, have an effective back-row, this pivotal area especially at No 8 will lead to tries and wins will follow. Chris Davies led the way with five. Another week of poor attendances with only Coventry Rugby breaking the four figure barrier and then only just. It is already looking ominous for Macclesfield  having shipped 135 points in their opening 3 games-maybe a step too far for them. Another win for Tynedale keeps them unbeaten and the heady heights of 4^th place-perhaps their Newcastle Falcons contingent should be recalled as their parent club needs them more!

The Match of the Day saw Fylde narrowly beat Rosslyn Park.The try fest never came off as both sides defences proved strong. At 10 all at half-time it was anyone’s game but a late Jordan Dorrington try from the wing sealed it for the home side, although an injury time try gave Park the losing bonus point. Will Fylde have the consistency to challenge Ealing Tfs for the title?

Ealing Tfs proved too strong for their north-eastern visitors Blaydon, with effectively the game over by half-time. The bonus point secured by half-time, with the strong Ealing pack more than matching that of Blaydon. The home backs were left with enough possession to run in 4 tries in that half led by winger Phil Chesters brace. It was virtually stalemate in the second as both defences took over with Blaydon unable to score A win that leaves thepre-season favourite the only side with a 100% record.

Coming up on the outside is another unbeaten side that of Richmond who gave the students of Hartpury College a lesson in power and finishing. Led by experienced No 8 Chris Davies who led a dominant Richmond pack,scoring a hat-trick by half-time with a further two in the second. This dominance allowed the visitors backs to get in the act with speedy winger Adam Gadsby also scoring. Richmond are a side with all round strengths who could even trouble Ealing.

The only other unbeaten side Tynedale duly despatched one of their northern rivals Wharfedale in another close encounter. Another hard-fought battle saw Tynedale win their third close encounter of the season, helped in no small matter by their contingent of Newcastle Falcons players which have boosted their already experienced core of their team. A last minute try for the visitors gave them a deserved losing bonus point.

A team finding some of their form of two seasons ago Esher duly despatched a new promoted Macclesfield side, who are looking increasingly out of their depth, having shipped 135 points in their three games. A very effective home back-row gave Esher the platform as they ran in 8 tries but also missed more, with their bonus point achieved soon into the second half. Defensive lapses also let Macclesfield in for 3 unconverted tries which is perhaps a worry for Esher as they meet stronger sides.

Coventry Rugby put behind them a difficult injury situation with a deserved bonus point win over an Old Abanian side, which promised much in the first half but whose lack of penetration and inability to cope with the power running of the Coventry backs in the second proved decisive. Winger Dom Lespierre led the way with two tries as he finished off some powerful, intensive pressure.

Blackheath finally got their first win of the season over a still winless Loughborough Students side. The home pack soon became dominant easing to the bonus point try by 41 minutes leaving the Students  trailing 29-7.For the second week running the Students realised they still had a chance and as the home side started letting in penalties it was Blackheath who became nervous. Blackheath managed to get their first win thanks to a late missed penalty by Josh Sharp.

The final game also saw a first win this time by newcomers Darlington Mowden Park as they overcame a spirited Cinderford side.it was always a close match until a late penalty and drop goal by Gary Law sealed it for the home side. Before that both sides had exchanged tries in an always hard fought encounter All credit to the visitors who at least managed to get a try bonus point although still leaving them in the bottom three. Darlington MP did enough to suggest that they will survive their first season in this league.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

22^nd September 2014.