Week 11 results round up with week 12: 16th/17th November...

November match previews.

Week 11 10^th November results round up

Blackheath               15           20       Rosslyn Park

Blaydon                    35           34       Ealing Tfs

Esher                         27           10      Coventry Rugby 

Fylde                          36          22       Macclesfield

Loughborough St     70          14      Sedgley  Park

Old Albanian             28          25      Cinderford

Richmond                   44         31      Tynedale

Wharfedale                51         23      Cambridge

A Saturday of 7 home wins and with three of the top 4 all winning more consolidation at the top. The bottom two Cambridge and Macclesfield both lost increasing their isolation at the rear, but the real fight is on over the third relegation place with no fewer than 3 sides separated by just three points.

The crowded mid table teams from 5^th to 11^th place are separated by just 6 points with most of these teams finding it difficult to put a run together, although Fylde have done so and now find themselves in sight of the top table.

The two key games resulted as expected in tight finishes. Rosslyn Park made it 8 wins a row by beating London neighbours Blackheath helped by 5 penalties by Sam Katz despite losing the try count 2 to 1, with one obligatory try to Dave Allen, which consolidated their lead at the top.

In a 9 try thriller Blaydon had the bonus point by half time, as they won their 5th match in a row. Ealing Tfs have now lost two successive games but picked up two losing bonus points. Enough defensive frailties to give coaches a nightmare.

No such frailties at Esher as both pairs of backs cancelled each other out, but it was the muscular power play of the home pack which proved decisive. Strangely enough the flurry of 5 yellow cards including two for each side saw the denuded side playing better. In the end the 5 penalty goals by Rob Kirby was the difference.

The nether regions of the league saw bottom club Cambridge lose their 5th game in a row at Wharfedale, yet Dale after a poor 1^st half had to come from behind to easily beat Cambridge.

As expected Macclesfield lost the North-West encounter with Fylde, their 6^th win in a row as this win propels them into 6^th place. The final score somewhat flattered the home side as Macclesfield were still in it until a late try denied them more. A performance that suggests that Macclesfield cannot be fully be written off as yet.

The battle over the third relegation place intensified with a season’s record score obtained by Loughborough Students as they beat a fast fading Sedgley Park. This was the Students 4^th win in 5 games and takes them out of the relegation zone, being replaced by their opponents Sedgley Park whose defeat was their 5th in a row.

Another team on a poor run of form Tynedale, lost their 6^th game in a row to Richmond, which drops them to 13^th place. There are now only three points separating the three teams of Loughborough Students, Tynedale and Sedgley Park from the red zone.

The final game saw a home win for newcomers Old Albanians, on a run of three wins as they overcame 5^th place Cinderford. Once again it was the experience and guile of the OA half backs player coach James Shanahan and Stefan Liebenberg that proved decisive.

Week 12 16^th/17^th November Match Previews

16^th November 

Rosslyn Park      v       Esher

17^th November

Cambridge          v      Old Albanian

Cinderford           v     Blaydon

Coventry              v     Wharfedale

Ealing Tfs              v    Sedgley Park

Macclesfield         v    Blackheath

Richmond              v    Loughborough Students

Tynedale                v    Fylde

Two key games this weekend as 4 of the top 5 sides meet each other. On Friday night Rosslyn Park, now clear at the top of the league, face fourth placed Esher. RP are looking for their 9^th win in a row, whilst Esher after three successive wins need to make inroads into the leaders lead. Esher with probably the best pack in the league will be looking to restrict the all round game of Rosslyn Park

Cinderford, who having recently come off the pace face a tricky home fixture over third place Blaydon.The Foresters are finding it difficult to break back into the top 4 whilst Blaydon, again on a run of 5 wins have an effective and abrasive pack assisted by some speedy backs. Another game that is perhaps too close to call.

Former leaders Ealing Tfs, after two successive losses have the easier task  as they entertain relegation placed Sedgley Park, after their own run of 5 losses. In theory there should only be one winner of this.

Below the top 4 sides there is a tremendous battle going on amongst the 7 sides to break into the top 4. The key ingredient being the ability to put a winning run together,  as Fylde have shown their 5 successive wins have taken them into 6^th place.

Tynedale have a home fixture with Fylde, in the past Dale have been able to use their good home form to counteract their away travails. However this season’s run of 6 successive losses has dropped them back to 14^th place just 3 points ahead of the relegation zone. The form book suggests that Fylde should win.

10^th and 11^th place sees Coventry Rugby meet Wharfedale with both sides doing well at home but struggling away .This lack of overall consistency suggests that it still could be a close battle, as Coventry will want to avenge last season’s double which went to Wharfedale.

Improving newcomers Richmond take on the Loughborough Students at the Athletic Ground, with the home side slight favourites, but  after the Students record win over Sedgley Park, their 4^th win in 5, no-one can rule off the Students, out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

The final two games see the bottom two sides at home but facing difficult opponents. 15^th place Macclesfield have Blackheath as their visitors, The Cheshire side despite losing have shown improvements recently. It may come down to the battle of the packs, and even Dave Allen’s try scoring ability.

Bottom side Cambridge, now on a run of 5 losses face their Eastern neighbours Old Albanians. OA now finding their feet under charismatic player coach James Shanahan should prove too experienced for Cambridge, who are finding it difficult to put together 2^nd half performances to match their 1^st halves.

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

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

12^th November 2012