Rugby results round up week 24 - 3rd March together with...

fixtures preview for week 25 weekend 9th and 10th March .

Week 24 results 3^rd March

Birmingham Solihull         16       14   Tynedale

Blackheath                     48       33   Cambridge

Cinderford                      32       12   Sedgley Park

Ealing Tfs                       59       34   Barking

Fylde                             48       23   Macclesfield

Jersey                            28         7   Blaydon

Rosslyn Park                   19       19   Coventry

Wharfedale                     40         5   Stourbridge

2nd half fight backs seem the order of the day, and not just with Coventry, as league leaders Jersey came from 7-3 behind at half time, to get their bonus point win, and keep their lead at 8 points ahead of Ealing and Fylde. More impressive were Fylde coming from 23-10 behind early in the 2^nd half to then score 38 unanswered points over a shell shocked Macclesfield. In a high scoring match an easy win for Ealing over bottom club Barking, who still managed 5 tries, so perhaps some defensive lessons are required. 

It has to be said, it is more interesting in the nether reaches of the league, although it is doubtful if many Head Coaches would agree.  Another loss by Stourbridge away at Wharfedale, probably saves Dale and relegates Stourbridge, as does Barking’s loss.

Yet, Birmingham Solihull keep on fighting, with their third win in a row, this time at home to Tynedale bringing them to within 15 points of both Coventry and Wharfedale.

With both Wharfedale and Coventry picking up points there is now only 3 points separating Cambridge in 9^th and Coventry in 13^th, with Birmingham Solihull waiting for any slip up amongst these 5 teams.

All to play for, in the final weeks of the season, and a nervous time for all clubs concerned.

Fixtures and match previews weekend 9^th/10^th March.

Fri 9^th March:       

           Macclesfield  v  Birmingham Solihull

Sat 10^th March:    

           Barking           v  Jersey

           Blaydon         v   Cinderford

           Cambridge     v   Ealing Tfs

           Coventry         v   Fylde

           Sedgley Park   v   Wharfedale

           Stourbridge     v   Rosslyn Park

           Tynedale          v   Blackheath

Another week, when the fixtures are more interesting at the bottom, than the top of the league. Leaders Jersey face a trip to bottom club Barking, a win for Jersey would relegate Barking.  

Fylde face the potentially tricky visit to Coventry, whose pack has found some form over the past two weeks, despite an horrendous injury list. With Coventry needing to win to settle their relegation nerves and Fylde requiring a win to keep pressure on Jersey, an enthralling game is in prospect.

Stourbridge, although cannot technically be relegated on Saturday face a difficult home game against 5^th placed Rosslyn Park, a loss could virtually seal their fate.

Perhaps the most interesting fixture is the one on Friday night as Macclesfield, still smarting from their 2^nd half collapse against Fylde, shipping 38 unanswered points entertain Birmingham Solihull, whose third win in a row give them a glimmer of hope if the 5 teams above them should slip up. With Sedgley Park facing Wharfedale then the loser could bring them closer to Birmingham Solihull, perhaps a draw would be the best result for both sides.

Once again another round of nerve racking games for the bottom 8 sides in the league.

A more detailed Coventry Rugby v Fylde match preview will be available shortly.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office