Week 14 results, 26th Nov round up and 3rd Dec preview.

Week 14 results 26th November round up with week 15 - 3rd December previews including Jersey v Coventry rugby.

Week 14 results 26^th November

Barking                        13              15      Stourbridge

Birmingham Solihull  12               59     Rosslyn Park

Blaydon                        15               27     Sedgley Park

Cambridge                    17               31     Wharfedale

Coventry                       29               26     Ealing Tfs

Fylde                             28               22     Blackheath

Macclesfield                 15                24    Jersey

Tynedale                       24                 0     Cinderford

The penultimate round of matches before the halfway season brought its own interesting results, with still no pointer as to the ultimate promotion favourite.

Coventry fans were entertained in an excellent game against Ealing, who at times showed why they were top of the league. All credit toCoventryfor sticking with it and eventually getting the victory.

Fylde continue to put pressure on Ealing with a hard fought victory over Blackheath, whose pack almost stole it at the death. In another close fought battleJerseymanaged a late bonus point win over a resilient Macclesfield, whilst serious contendersRosslynParkoverwhelmed a Birmingham Solihull side firmly anchored at the bottom of the league.

The result of the round must be Wharfedale win away over a misfiring Cambridge side.

The relegation battle at Barking saw Stourbridge win for the 1st time in 4 games, but still leave both sides in the relegation zone.

This weeks results see Ealing still leading on 55 points but now only 3 points away from 2nd placed Fylde, and 11points from 5th placed Coventry.

Week 15 fixtures 3rd December

Blackheath           v       BirminghamSolihull

Cinderford            v        Macclesfield

Ealing Tfs             v        Fylde

Jersey                    v       Coventry

RosslynPark         v        Blaydon

SedgleyPark          v       Barking

Stourbridge             v     Cambridge

Wharfedale              v      Tynedale

Saturday 3rd December sees the halfway mark in the season’s fixtures, but whether this will give a hint of the promotion or relegation places remains to be seen, in a very close and exciting race especially for the one promotion spot.

Tie of the round must be Ealing Tfs  entertaining  Fylde, 1st against 2nd.Ealing will be looking to bounce back from two defeats on the trot, whilst Fylde will fancy taking the leaders spot. Two well matched sides especially in the backs, perhaps a question of which team has the best pack.

The other tie of the round must be Jersey having Coventry as the visitors, 4th against 5th, both hoping for a slip up from those teams above them. Once again a close game to call with both teams buoyed by their latest victories.

With 3rd placed Rosslyn Park sneaking up on the leaders and facing a relatively easy home fixture against Blaydon, no team in the top half can take it too lightly.

The bottom of the league sees Birmingham Solihull travelling to Blackheath  and Barking to Sedgley Park, not really expecting anything from these games.

However Stourbridge must fancy their chances against an inconsistent Cambridge side.

Jersey RFC v Coventry rugby preview

Jersey RFC founded in 1879 moved to their current airport site at Rue des Landes  in 1961, with their current clubhouse built in 1994 which almost coincided with the start of the league system. Until thenJerseywere host to many visiting teams includingCoventrywho visited in May 1955, as part ofJersey’s Festival of Sport. Details of the programme and team were kindly supplied by Kevin O’Donnell son of Brian O’Donnell, who played 2nd row forCoventryin the game. Amongst a star studdedCoventryside included George Cole, Phil Judd and Mike McLean.

Since joining the Hampshire leagues in 1994/5 Jersey RFC have made steady progress, and last season were runners up to eventual champions Ealing Tfs, including a double over Ealing and a run of 17 straight wins. They were promoted to the current National League 1 by winning the playoff over Loughborough Students.

Jersey have an enviable home record remaining unbeaten since September 2009 until they lost at home to Ealing this September by 15-26. Under Head Coach Ben Harvey they have only lost a further two games both away, to Cinderford 19-16, and a 1st day of the season loss to Fylde by 29-27. 

With 11 wins and only 3 defeats Jersey are currently in 4th place on 48 points, just 4 points behind Fylde in 2nd place and 4 points ahead of Coventry in 5th, and currently on a run of 8 straight wins. They would have been 2nd if not for a registration mix up which saw them deducted 5 points.

With 7 full time players Jersey were one of the pre season favourites for back to back promotion.Jerseyhave recruited well over the years and two formerCoventryplayers Donovan Sanders and Dai Maddocks should be on show.

Other key players include Michel le Bourgeois as goalkicker and No 10, David Bishop centre, as well as flanker Guy Thompson (Richmond) and Nick Trower, earning praise at No 8 , with experienced Jim Brownrigg and Ross Broadbent .

This Saturday 3rd December sees Coventry visit Jersey kick off 3pm, not only a match between 4th and 5th but the top two supported teams in the league.

Another close and exciting game is in prospect.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office