Week 13 results round up with week 14 - 26th Nov preview.
By Tom Little.
November 21 2011
Week 13 results round up with week 14 - 26th November previews including Coventry v Ealing tfs
Week 13 results 19th November
BirminghamSolihull 20 41 Fylde
Blackheath 34 25 Coventry
Cinderford 16 23 Cambridge
Ealing Tfs 24 35 Macclesfield
Jersey 26 8 Tynedale
Rosslyn Park 40 18 Sedgley Park
Stourbridge 9 29 Blaydon
Wharfedale 29 3 Barking
Surprise of the round must be leaders Ealing losing their home record in their second defeat of the season to a rejuvenated Macclesfield. Ealing had no answer to the driving mauls and line outs from Macclesfield. This result brings back Ealing to just 6 points ahead of the chasing pack led by Fylde, whose 6 try success over Birmingham Solihull masked a somewhat poor scrum performance, with the home side unable to take full advantage. Rosslyn Park and Jersey continue their surge up the table and are now 3rd and 4th respectively, although Jersey left it late to beat a resilient Tynedale side.
Coventry, by failing to get even a deserved losing bonus point in an exciting encounter away at Blackheath fall to 8th place, but are still only 8 points behind 2nd place Fylde.
The bottom of the league saw further losses by Stourbridge and Birmingham Solihull, but Wharfedale’s home victory over Barking, puts Barking exchanging places with Dale into the relegation zone.
Week 14 fixtures 26th November
Barking v Stourbridge
Birmingham Solihull v RosslynPark
Blaydon v SedgleyPark
Cambridge v Wharfedale
Coventry v Ealing Tfs
Fylde v Blackheath
Macclesfield v Jersey
Tynedale v Cinderford
Week 14 previews 26th November
This week sees a series of key games at both ends of the table. Leaders Ealing face a daunting first time visit to Coventry, with both sides having lost by similar scorelines on Saturday to Macclesfield and Blackheath respectively. Will the Coventry pack be able to deny Ealing the necessary possession for their pacy backs to exploit?
It will also be contrasting styles as 2nd place Fylde face Blackheath, whose effective rucking and mauling game, may negate the speedy Fylde backs.
Meanwhile Ealing’s victors Macclesfield entertain visiting Jersey, looking for their 8th consecutive win, with both sides determined to win to put more pressure on the top two.
At the other end of the table sees the relegation battle as Barking entertain Stourbridge, with both sides urgently needing the win.The other team in the relegation zone Birmingham Solihull, face another difficult home game as improving 3rd placed Rosslyn Park are the visitors.
Overall a Saturday that may prove a watershed for ambitions and despair in equal measures for the coming 2nd half of the season.
Coventry v Ealing tfs preview
This Saturday 26th November at the Butts Park Arena, kick off3pm, sees the much heralded and awaited clash between the league leaders Ealing Tfs and Coventry Rugby.
Although Coventryare now in 8th place, they are still only 8 points behind 2nd placed Fylde, so a win for Coventry will put more pressure on the teams above including the visitors Ealing.
Although Ealing were founded in 1871, three years before Coventry, the sides have never met either in the leagues , friendlies or the cup. Following their move to the new ground known as Trailfinders Sports Club ,Vallis Wayin 1999, Ealing have steadily moved up the leagues, being promoted as National League 2 South Champions last season.
Under Director of Rugby Mike Cudmore, and Head Coach Keiron Power, Ealing have continued on with their form from last season, sitting 6 points ahead of their rivals in the league.They have only lost twice, to Barking, and last Saturday to Macclesfield at home, and have 11 wins.
Ealing have an all round game, but are able to use their speedy try machine wingers Phil Chesters and Owen Bruynseels to good effect. Last season Chesters scored 70 tries and Bruynseels 32, and even this year in a tighter league Chesters is leading try scorer on 21, with Bruynseels on 10.
Fullback Neil Hallett is also 2nd in the list of leading goalkickers on 118 points. Ealing are adept at using the cross kick ball from No 10 Ben Ward for the wingers to chase, and any opposition mistakes are quickly pounced on and punished.
Although largely with the same group of players for the past few years Ealing have recruited well with lock Sam Twomey coming in from Quins as a DR player, as well as scrum half James Gibbs from Esher.
Dings Crusaders have provided flanker Gavin Curry and highly rated prop Tim Brocket, and Rory Damant from London Scottish. Coventry fans will remember centre Ronnie McLean-Dents.
Ealing have a strong all round games and Coventry will have to deny them possession, get their tackles in and reduce their mistakes .
Another mouth watering and exciting game is expected this Saturday at the Butts Park Arena, as Coventry look for a win to put more pressure on the teams above them.
Don’t forget BPA is the place to be this Saturday, why not sample the new viewing stand and catering facilities behind the goalposts. Kick off as usual is 3pm.
Make it another record gate for this season.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
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