Week 10 results round up and week 11 - 5th November previews
By Tom Little.
October 31 2011
Week 10 results round up and week 11 - 5th November previews with Fylde v Coventry preview.
Week 10 results 29th October
Barking 22 20 Ealing Tfs
Blaydon 6 12 Jersey
Cambridge 42 27 Blackheath
Coventry 30 29 Rosslyn Park
Macclesfield 24 39 Fylde
SedgleyPark 21 17 Cinderford
Stourbridge 23 20 Wharfedale
Tynedale 49 9 BirminghamSolihull
Well it had to happen, Ealing finally lost and to Barking who had just sacked their head coach. A salutary lesson to other teams - deny Ealing the ball and they can’t score, it also opens up the league even more. Saturday also saw a series of games with last minute nerves and late tries. Jersey just scraped a win at Blaydon with a last minute try as did Stourbridge with a penalty try in injury time over Wharfedale.
Yet once again in this league most teams can get something out of a loss, with 7 out of the 8 losing teams managed at least one losing bonus point. The sole exception being the unfortunate Birmingham Solihull who shipped 8 tries away to Tynedale, making them bottom of the league.
It was also nerves all around BPA as a late rally by Rosslyn Park almost derailed Coventry’s third win on the run.
Fylde and Cambridge continue their good form with big wins, cementing their places in 2nd and 3rd places, both now only 7 points behind leaders Ealing. Coventry in 4th are still only 2 points behind Fylde, but still only 8 points separate 2nd and 9th place.
Once again in this league every game counts, teams cannot afford any poor runs or they soon drop out of the equation.
Week 11 fixtures 5th November.
Birmingham Solihull v Macclesfield
Blackheath v Tynedale
Cinderford v Blaydon
Ealing Tfs v Cambridge
Fylde v Coventry
Jersey v Barking
RosslynPark v Stourbridge
Wharfedale v SedgleyPark
Week 11 previews
Well in another exciting twist it is 1st against 3rd and 2nd against 4th this week, with leaders Ealing at home toCambridge, and Fylde at home toCoventry.
Cambridge on the back of 4 straight wins must fancy their chances away at Ealing, with another high scoring game expected. Another difficult game to predict between Fylde and Coventry with the home side looking for their 3rd straight win, whilst Coventry are looking for their 4th.
Of the three teams in the relegation zone, bottom side Birmingham Solihull face a tricky home fixture with Macclesfield who are smarting from another large home defeat against Fylde, Wharfedale have arguably the easier fixture at home to Sedgley Park, whilst Stourbridge face the daunting visit to Rosslyn Park, who put up such a strong display at Coventry.
With possibly 9 teams still in the mix for promotion another exciting Saturday of fixtures is expected.
Fylde v Coventry preview
After two home matches Coventry Rugby are back on their travels again, as they renew acquaintances with their old rivals Fylde from the north west coast.
Promoted at the end of last season as Champions of National League 2 North, they perhaps started as favourites for promotion to the Championship. Under legendary Technical Director of Rugby Brian Ashton and Head Coach Mark Nelson, who is also Lancashire head coach, they have made an excellent start to life in this league and are presently 2nd only 7 points behind Ealing.
The Flyde team largely based round the successful Lancashire County side have recruited well, despite losing the services on the field of Jason Robinson this season. Back Chris Briers has come in from Doncaster/Sale, as well as iconic back rower Evan Stewart from Macclesfield, together with No 9 Sam Depledge from Otley.
Other players to watch are wingers Oli Brennand and Nic Royle, and No 10 Richard Kenyon, as well as a player well known to Coventry in lock Paul Arnold.
Founded in 1919 Fylde are based at The Woodlands Memorial ground, Lytham St Annes. Kick off this Saturday 5th November is3pm.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office.
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