Week 29 rugby round up with final match previews...
By Tom Little.
April 23 2012
of the season, including Cinderford v Coventry Rugby 28th April.
Week 29 results 21st April
Barking R 26 30 Sedgley Park
Birmingham Solihull R 27 38 Blackheath
Blaydon 21 8 Rosslyn Park
Cambridge 40 26 Stourbridge R
Coventry 13 37 Jersey P
Fylde 22 22 Ealing Tfs
Macclesfield 35 31 Cinderford
Tynedale 23 20 Wharfedale
A Saturday that saw Jersey crowned as champions and promoted to the Championship at their first attempt. A brave but outclassed Coventry side faced Jersey in no mood to be denied their promotion, which also drops Coventry down to 12th place. Jersey are probably the only side in National League 1 with the necessary financial clout to survive in the Championship, witness the struggle that London Scottish had despite their large budget.
Jersey’s closest rivals Ealing managed a draw at Fylde, whilst the impressive form of Blackheath, with 10 successive wins, sees them overtake Fylde into 3rd place, one to watch for next season!
Cinderford, who face Coventry on Saturday, lost a 24-11 lead away at Macclesfield, to lose a close match, are now safe in 8th place. The quality of the top four sides Jersey, Ealing, Blackheath and Fylde, has left all the other teams chasing shadows this season. It is doubtful whether relegated Esher, re-joining the league from the Championship will be able to rebound straight away, they will not find it so easy this time around.
As yet the only promoted side known to National League 1, is Loughborough Students and either Old Albanians or Richmond, from NL2 South, with the loser of these two meeting Caldy in a playoff.
Week 30, 28th April final season fixtures with match previews
Blackheath v Rosslyn Park
Blaydon v Barking
Cinderford v Coventry
Ealing Tfs v Birmingham Solihull
Jersey v Fylde
Sedgley Park v Cambridge
Stourbridge v Tynedale
Wharfedale v Macclesfield
With all promotion and relegation issues finally settled nothing to fight for except final league positions, contracts and for setting down a marker for next season.
Jersey, no doubt will have a party in celebrating their promotion, as they meet high flying Fylde, who at one stage looked as though they might provide a last day challenge.
Blackheath now in 3rd place after their 10th successive victory face their London rivals Rosslyn Park, who have recently fallen off the pace.
Most of the other interest lies in trying to avoid 13th place, with no fewer than 5 teams still involved.
Cinderford v Coventry Rugby match preview
The final game of the season sees Coventry travel deep into the Forest of Dean, to meet the Foresters at their Beavis Ground, in the centre of Cinderford, kick off 3pm.
Coventry will be wanting to avoid 13th place, and a win would give them a higher league points score than last season, and arrest the loss of their last two games.
Cinderford, will be wanting to close their season off with a home win, and with their recent improved form, has seen them escape from the relegation zone to a confirmed 8th place.
Under Director of Rugby, Andy Deacon, and Consultant Phil Vickery, Cinderford have won the same number of games 13, as Coventry, and lost 16, but with 22 bonus points compared to Coventry’s 9, have brought them 4 places ahead of Coventry. Through the Andy Deacon’s connection they have a number of DR players from Gloucester Premiership rugby
Cinderford, started the season poorly, losing 7 out of their first 8 games, including a close loss away at Coventry by 21-15, yet their one win at this time was against Jersey. Since then they have had impressive wins over Blackheath and Ealing, and even held Jersey away to a creditable 17-12.
Coventry will want to forget their last trip to the forest as they lost 26-0, and will be looking for revenge and to also complete the double over their opponents.
In Rory Teague, Cinderford have a No 10 who is the league’s leading points scorer. Key backs include try scoring winger Nev Codlin and Bristol Dr player Mike Wilcox usually playing at full back.
Renowned for their strong and abrasive pack, Cinderford under Phil Vickery and player coach Lee Fortey will provide a stern test for the Coventry forwards. An experienced pack with locks, Chris Jones and David Mckee, with Tom Foden in the backrow.
On a personal note this is my last preview of the season, but I hope to continue next season. Any suggestions as to improvements not only in previews, but other news items and or changes are always welcome.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
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Your match reviews and previews always make interesting reading.
Your postings may not demand a response, but they are certainly read and are appreciated.
Quote:Roger Fox
The English language is flexible, and there is not universal agreement on the use of commas. The important thing is, do you understand the meaning of the text.
Not when Tom's written it....
It's certainly very flexible on this board, I'll give you that.
There's a pretty-well universally-agreed standard for the use of commas according to my old English teacher, and there's definitely one on the use of question marks......).
