Week 8 results round up with week 9 - 22nd October previews.

Week 8 results round up with week 9 - 22nd October previews including Coventry v Macclesfield.

Week 8 - 15th October results

Barking           33           29 BirminghamSolihull

Blaydon           20           25  Blackheath

Cambridge       49           29  Fylde

Macclesfield    27           33  Rosslyn Park

Sedgley Park      8           38  Ealing Tfs

Stourbridge      18           19 Jersey

Tynedale          27           32 Coventry

Wharfedale      33           25  Cinderford

Another series of try fests and many close games. No less than 5 winning teams managed to get their try bonus, whilst an astonishing 4 losing teams also got their losing try scoring bonus.

Second and third sides Macclesfield and Fylde both continue their losing streak with Macclesfield now losing two, and Fylde three in a row.

Of last week’s top 4 sides only Ealing managed to win, and still remain unbeaten, and are now 9 points clear of Macclesfield in 2nd place. Who will have the honour of lowering Ealing’s colours, or will they do a Barking and go through the season with only losing their last game?

With Cambridge, Coventry, Blackheath and Rosslyn Park also getting good wins, it is putting pressure on 2nd place Macclesfield and 3rd place Fylde, with now only 4 points separating  2nd and 7th place.

Of the bottom three sides only Wharfedale won against fellow strugglers Cinderford, whilst Stourbridge picked up their usual losing bonus point, this time in their narrow defeat at home to Jersey.

Week 9 fixtures 22nd october

Birmingham Solihull          v      Cambridge

Blackheath                          v      Barking 

Cinderford                           v      Stourbridge

Coventry                              v     Macclesfield

Ealing Tfs                            v     Blaydon

Fylde                                   v      Tynedale

Jersey                                   v    SedgleyPark

RosslynPark                        v     Wharfedale

On the face of it a large proportion of home bankers expected, but as we have already come across in this league, expectations often come to nought in reality. 

The main question is who will be the first team to beat Ealing Tfs, could it possibly be Blaydon, whose inconsistency has been their consistent feature this season?

Improving Cambridge face a tricky away game at Birmingham Solihull, which promises to be a high scoring affair, whilst tie of the round is 5th placed Coventry against 2nd place Macclesfield.

Battle of the basement sides sees Cinderford, at home to Stourbridge, whose close encounters but losing ones must surely end some time.

Will Fylde manage to get back to their winning ways over a resilient Tynedale side who put up such a brave display against Coventry?

Coventry v Macclesfield match preview

This Saturday 22nd October, at home at the Butts Park Arena, kick off3pm, sees Coventry Rugby face 2nd placed Macclesfield. A crucial game forCoventry, as a win would propel them above Macclesfield in the league, and could put pressure on the only remaining unbeaten side, league leaders Ealing Tfs.

Coventry still smarting from losing late on in their last home game against Cambridge, will be confident after last week’s performance and bonus points win away at Tynedale.

With another record crowd for this season expected for this clash, especially as Coventry will be looking to erase the memory of last years heavy loss at home by Macclesfield  by 12- 40.

Promoted to National League 1 last season, Macclesfield, under experienced Director of Rugby Geoff  Wappett, saw them finish a very creditable 4th in their first season, and are currently in 2nd place on 28 points just 3 ahead of Coventry but with the same number of wins.

Macclesfield started the season well with 5 wins out of 6, including a narrow away victory over Cambridge. However they have since lost their last two games both at home to Tynedale andRosslynPark, allowing the chasing pack includingCoventryto catch up with them.

Pre season a key player lost was flanker Evan Stewart who moved to rivals Fylde, but  Fergus Mulcrone, wing/fullback has come in from Premiership side Sale Sharks, and joins his brother  scrum half Charlie Mulcrone. Between them they have scored 15 tries with Fergus leading the way on 10, only 2nd to Phil Chesters in the league.

Other keys players are goal kickers flyhalf Ross Winney and Tom Eaton, Ed Stobart winger and Jack Reed and Dean Williams locks, as well as props Billy Robinson and ex Coventry player Martin Kent

Coventry will be looking to avenge Macclesfield’s  last seasons double over them, and continue on with reversing last years losses to teams.

Once again another reason to be at the BPA this Saturday, for what promises to be an absorbing and exciting clash.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

16th October