Week 12 results round up with week 13 previews...

Week 12 results round up with week 13 previews including Blackheath v Coventry rugby.

Week 12 results 12th November and round up.

Barking           3          25   Cinderford

Blaydon         22          17   Wharfedale

Cambridge     13          54   Jersey

Coventry        29          13  BirminghamSolihull

Fylde              10          16   Rosslyn Park

Macclesfield   25          13   Blackheath

Sedgley Park   43          35   Stourbridge

Tynedale         24          29   Ealing Tfs

The surprise of the round goes to Rosslyn Park in beating high flying Fylde away, this propels RP into 3rd place just 3 points behind Fylde.  Ealing had a close but eventual victory away at Tynedale, whilst Cambridge slumped down to 6th place, following their heavy loss at home to Jersey and are up to 5th just one point behind Coventry.

Coventry by winning their local derby over Birmingham Solihull are up to 4th, just 3 points behind Fylde in 2nd.  Proving how close this league is in chasing Ealing, there are still only 10 points separating 2nd and 10th spot in the league.

The three teams in the relegation zone, all  lost  again ,but only Birmingham Solihull failed to get a losing bonus point. Cinderford’s excellent away win over Barking, puts Barking back in trouble in 13th place.

Week 13 previews - 19^th November

Birmingham Solihull     v    Fylde

Blackheath                     v   Coventry

Cinderford                      v   Cambridge

Ealing Tfs                       v    Macclesfield

Jersey                              v    Tynedale

RosslynPark                   v   SedgleyPark

Stourbridge                      v   Blaydon

Wharfedale                      v   Barking

Tempting fate this week by saying there are no obvious giant killing acts, but Cambridge following their abysmal showing against Jersey, must fear the worst in travelling deep into the forest, where Cinderford  are looking for their third win in a row.

At the top of the league, Ealing, Fylde and Rosslyn Park, should experience few problems in beating Macclesfield, Birmingham Solihull and Sedgley Park respectively.

Of the chasing pack, an impressive Jersey side should beat Tynedale , but the Blackheath v Coventry game is probably the tie of the round, and  possibly the most difficult to call, with both sides needing to win to maintain  pressure on the teams above.

The relegation zone sees both Stourbridge and Wharfedale with winnable home games, but Birmingham Solihull at home to Fylde, and both sides smarting from last week’s defeats, the midlanders face an unenviable task.

Blackheath v Coventry review.

It is 7th against 4th as Blackheath entertain their old rivalsCoventryat the Rectory Fields, this coming Saturday 19th November kick off 3.00 pm.

Club as they like to be known as, were founded in 1858, so claim to be the oldest rugby club.

Under Performance Director Yusuf  Ibrahim, with backs coach Mike Friday, and Bobby Howe and James Honeyben assisting, Blackheath are currently in 7th place  just 4 points behind Coventry. Both sides records show identical points scored and almost the same conceded this season, pointing to a very close encounter.

Last season Blackheath finished a creditable 6th whilst Coventry finished 8th. Games between the two clubs last season were also very close, withCoventrywinning the home game by 17- 16, and achieving an exciting draw away by 27-27.

Club had a difficult start to the season having to face the current top three  teams, and although losing, they put up a strong showing, deservedly getting losing bonus points from all three games. Since then they have lost only a further 2 games, one to Cambridge away 42-27, and last week somewhat of a surprise loss away again to Macclesfield by 25-13.

Their overall record shows 7 wins and 5 losses.

Key players include leading goalkicker fullback Adam Armstrong signed from Barking, with another key kicker Sam Windsor at No 10. Winger James Stephenson is their leading try scorer on 8, whilst on the other wing is Richard Bright (Launceston). Other key players include skipper Tom Bason at lock and the other lock Ally Vanner.

Blackheath have a very experienced pack and have James Catt at No 8, and try machine Dave Allen as flanker.

A close game at the Rectory Fields is expected with the two sides having almost identical records and dominant packs. Both sides have excellent goalkickers and Coventry will need to watch their discipline as well as Club’s speedy wingers.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office