National league 1 results round up...

...week 21 Saturday 6th February 2016 including Fylde v Coventry rugby.

Week 21 Fixtures Saturday 6th February 2016.

Ampthill & District                       21             5          Rosslyn Park                                crowd     314

Fylde                                              25           14          Coventry Rugby                                           724

Hartpury College                         48           16          Henley Hawks                                              225

Hull Ionians                                  19           22          Esher                                                             231

Loughborough Students              7           22          Darlington Mowden Park                          156

Plymouth Albion                         16             5          Blaydon                                                         754

Richmond                                    25              8          Cinderford                                                    728

Wharfedale                                 21            15          Blackheath                                                   376

Generally a low scoring round on Saturday with only 3 try bonus winners, not surprising considering the poor conditions, with a surprise loss by Blackheath allowing Hartpury College to take over in 2nd place, although still leaving Richmond’s lead at the top  6 points. There was only one winner amongst the bottom six but still not enough points to lift Wharfedale to more than their existing 13th place.

Leaders Richmond duly beat Cinderford, after the bottom side put up a resolute display, especially in the first half, only trailing 13-8 and despite being down to 13 men at one time. The final quarter of the 2nd half saw Richmond finally turn the screw eventually getting 2 further tries giving them the try bonus win. The win leaves Richmond 6 points ahead of the chasing pack but leaves Cinderford 12 points from safety.

Hartpury College surged into 2nd place with their own try bonus point win over 15th placed Henley Hawks, yet the half-time score of 15-9 to the home side didn’t suggest the 5 try mauling in the second half. The home side started to take full control, especially in by the pack in the 2nd half, with College now up to 2nd place just 6 points behind Richmond, whilst the loss leaves the Hawks 8 points from safety.

The surprise of the day saw 2nd placed Blackheath come a cropper in the Dales as they were defeated by 13th placed Wharfedale. A one point half-time lead for the visitors suggested a close game as indeed it was, Wharfedale played better in the second half but it took to the 73rd minute to get the winning try, a win that gives Wharfedale some hope now 5 points from danger, but drops Blackheath down to 3rd but still with a game in hand.

Despite more poor ground conditions before the largest crowd of the day, Plymouth Albion continued with their impressive winning form with a hard fought victory over a resilient 14th placed Blaydon side. The home pack was able to keep the visitors at bay confining them largely to their own half, but Albion did require a last minute try to make the game safe. A win that keeps Albion in 4th place but now only 8 points behind Blackheath, but leaves Blaydon 5 points from safety.

Once again generous to a fault Hull Ionians managed to lose a match after leading 19-5 at one time with them leading 12-5 at half-time over a visiting Esher side . More and more home mistakes led to Esher scoring 3 last quarter tries for the bonus point victory. At least Hull Ionians gained the losing bonus point keeping them still 10 points above the relegation zone.

Ampthill & District maintained their 6th place with a deserved win over a visiting Rosslyn Park side back in 8th place. Despite facing a strong wind in the 1st half the home pack took control and managed to hold onto a narrow 5 nil half-time lead. The second half half saw Ampthill use the wind to their advantage with centre Elliott Clements-Hill taking the initiative with 3 penalties and a conversion, whilst Park struggled to use the elements.

Before a meagre crowd Loughborough Students duly succumbed to a Darlington Mowden Park side  whose strong defence proved the difference, restricting the Students to one first half try, before Park turned up the heat in the 2nd half leaving them just one win away from 4th place, but leaving the Students just 7 points after the danger zone.

The final game saw Fylde finally win at home over a Coventry side who have struggled to win this season. It was effectively all over by the 51st minute with 3 home tries, and although Coventry Rugby fought back with two late tries, it was too little too late. The win sees Fylde swop places with Coventry up to 9th place.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

7th February 2016.