Coventry Rugby V Rosslyn Park preview and weekend roundup.
By Tom Little
January 31 2011
This Saturday 5th February sees the re-arranged Coventry Rugby fixture against Rosslyn Park, at BPA kick off 3pm. Rosslyn Park, based in the Roehampton area of London, have a long and proud history, being formed in 1879, 5 years later than Coventry. There is even a long club connection going back to the 1890’s with France, which has been continued with the present French Head Coach ex Wasps and Stadt Francais flanker Florent Rossigneux.
Coventry have played Rosslyn Park five times since the leagues were formed, their last meeting was in the 1995/6 season, when Coventry completed the double.
In more recent times perhaps their most famous and respected player was England and rugby legend Andy Ripley, who sadly died this year.
Rosslyn Park promoted last year from NL2 South are currently in 6th position, six points ahead of Coventry having played 17 games and won 8. Under Head Coach Florent Rossigneux they have recruited heavily for this season going for Premiership experience such as Mike Baxter No 9 (ex Bath), hooker Ben Gotting (ex Wasps), and ex London Irish pair winger John Rudd and centre Charlie Gower.
There is also a dual registration arrangement with London Wasps.
Other players to watch are dangerous running fullback Ollie Lindsay-Hague, and experienced No 10 ex Scottish international Ross Laidlaw and leading goal kicker. Ex Coventry centre Chris Lewis has also been scoring tries for Park.
An experienced side with a strong pack and backs, Florent has encouraged his team to play the game in the spirit of Andy Ripley.
Results wise Rosslyn Park have won 8 games including perhaps their best result of the season a home win over London Scottish. Other wins were over Launceston, Otley, Cinderford and away games at Tynedale Wharfedale ,Otley and Cinderford. Another good result was a narrow loss to league leaders Barking by 20-18.
All matches even when lost have been very close allowing Rosslyn Park to pick up bonus points.
Another close and exciting match is expected this Saturday at BPA, as Coventry need to put behind them their exciting defeat away at Macclesfield whilst Rosslyn Park will be encouraged by their last away win against Otley.
WEEKEND RESULTS ROUNDUP
Barking 30 5 Redruth
Cambridge 45 7 Blaydon
Otley 12 16 Rosslyn Park
Sedgley Park 18 17 Launceston
Stourbridge 36 16 Blackheath
Tynedale 15 31 London Scottish
Cinderford v Wharfedale postponed
Macclesfield 37 21 Coventry
In the end just the one match postponed due to the weather. It was a feeling of déjà vu as once again the top three sides Barking, Cambridge and London Scottish all had bonus point wins, as of course did 4th placed Macclesfield.
The bottom saw Launceston and Redruth lose again, and with the Cinderford game off Otley couldn’t take advantage by also losing.
The good wins by Stourbridge and Rosslyn Park have pulled them away from the bottom, but the recent losses by both Blackheath and Coventry bring them back into the mix.
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another defeat is expected this saturday at bpa is a bit nearer the mark.
woods, it's in the hipflask! (Steve Emms)
' COME ON COV '
tom little