Coventry Rugby v Barking match preview & results roundup
By Tom little
February 7 2011
This Saturday 12th February at the BPA, kick off 3pm Coventry Rugby meet Barking for the first time at home since both clubs were founded. Only founded in 1930 Barking have moved up the leagues, being crowned NL2 (south) champions last year, thus promoting them to NL1.
The surprise team of the season so far, they are still unbeaten with 16 wins, one draw and are on 75 points, just 2 ahead of pre-season favourites London Scottish. Under Director of Rugby Neil Kersey and Head Coach Alex Codling, plus the experience of ex-Saracens centre Kevin Sorrell, Barking have maintained their unbeaten record despite only having the same number of bonus points as Coventry.
Barking and especially Kevin Sorrell have maintained their close links with Saracens Premiership side and their Academy.
Players to watch out for are leading try scoring wingers David Vincent and Nick Fraser, and leading goal kicker fullback Adam Armstrong.
When Coventry visited Barking in October Coventry fell to a narrow loss by 21-15, but even then had their chances to win.
Barking will be looking to build on their record so far and maintain the pressure on London Scottish, whilst Coventry need to show their effort and skill they had at times against Cambridge, Macclesfield and Rosslyn Park to get their season back on track.
Preview weekend games 12th February
There is a full fixture list this coming Saturday as follows:-
Blackheath v Sedgley Park
Blaydon v Macclesfield
Coventry v Barking
Launceston v Cinderford
London Scottish v Stourbridge
Redruth v Otley
Rosslyn Park v Tynedale
Wharfedale v Cambridge
On paper both London Scottish and Cambridge should win to maintain their lead at the top of the league, but all the 5 teams including Coventry in the league between 8th and 12th position, namely Sedgley Park, Blaydon, Tynedale and Wharfedale all face tricky fixtures.
At the bottom it is too close to call as Launceston, although putting up a good fight against Barking face a resurgent Cinderford, whilst a buoyant Redruth, who beat Macclesfield face Otley.
Another series of close and exciting games is expected with once again a few shocks on the cards.
WEEKEND RESULTS ROUNDUP 5th February
Results
Barking 27 16 Launceston
Blaydon 3 40 London Scottish
Cinderford 32 5 Tynedale
Coventry 27 34 Rosslyn Park
Macclesfield 17 19 Redruth
Sedgley Park 19 14 Stourbridge
Wharfedale 14 21 Blackheath
A weekend of re-arranged games saw a few surprises. At the top both Barking and London Scottish had bonus point wins; although it appears Barking had the more difficult game.
Cinderford maintained their winning streak making it 3 in a row as they thumped Tynedale. Perhaps the most surprising result was Macclesfield losing at home to Redruth, in atrocious conditions, which took them above Otley in the table.
Blackheath got back onto winning ways after a hard fought away win over Wharfedale.
The league table shows Barking, London Scottish and Cambridge leading the way.
In 8th position on 39 points comes Blaydon closely followed on 37 points by Sedgley Park, Tynedale,and Coventry ,with Wharfedale on 36 points.
The bottom 3 show Launceston bottom on 12 points, with Otley on 27 and Redruth on 29.
Despite Coventry’s loss they remain 11th but the gap is still closing on the 14th place side.
They are 2 wins ahead of 14th position but also 2 wins away from 5th position, which confirms what a tight league this is.
Coventry Rugby press office
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woods, it's in the hipflask! (Steve Emms)
' COME ON COV '
unfortunately no early team news this week as I was away- hope to be back to normal service next week.
tom little