Week 14 - 8th December match previews including Coventry...

Rugby v Blaydon

Week 14 Fixtures and match previews

Cambridge       v      Sedgley Park

Cinderford       v      Ealing Tfs

Coventry           v     Blaydon

Fylde                  v     Loughborough Students

Macclesfield      v    Wharfedale

Richmond          v     Blackheath

Rosslyn Park      v     Old Albanian

Tynedale             v    Esher

Back to league action this week in the penultimate round before half the season is completed. Saturday sees two tricky fixtures as 4 of the top six sides meet each other, whilst at the bottom it is even more crucial as two of the bottom two sides meet each other.

Bottom side Cambridge really need to win at home as they meet fellow strugglers Sedgley Park if they have any realistic chance of making up ground. A win for the visitors would start to put daylight between them and Cambridge, and more importantly increase the pressure on those teams just above them.

15^th placed Macclesfield have a difficult home fixture against their fellow north-west side Wharfedale. The Greens still buoyant after their defeat of the then league leaders Rosslyn Park, need to put behind them their poor away form and if necessary grind out a victory on the road.

Pick of the top side games is probably 2^nd placed Rosslyn Park at home to newcomers Old Albanian. OA come to London on the back of 5 straight wins and if James Shanahan is fit must fancy their chances. With Wharfedale knocking Rosslyn Park off their top spot 2 weeks ago, the question to be asked is whether they have been found out and are not as good as their league position suggests.

The other key game involving the top is the visit of leaders Ealing Tfs to Cinderford. The Foresters back to winning ways are always difficult to beat at home, but Ealing after as few recent blips are now back on track, and are probably the best all round side in this league. On the face of it a close call but the score could be more one sided than first thought.

Another form side Esher, eagerly awaiting a slip from the top three should be too powerful for an inconsistent Tynedale side back in 12^th spot, although the way Tynedale  demolished Fylde at home 3 weeks ago always gives them hope ,especially if they can find a goal kicker from somewhere.

The pick of the remaining games is the visit of third placed Blaydon to Coventry .Despite a good home record  Coventry have yet to beat a top 4 side and their home record will be severely tested. In some ways Blaydon are the surprise team of the league, and are having their best spell for some years, a game that may be too close to call.

Fylde, whose recent home form has been impressive take on Loughborough Students, who after seemingly finding their way in this league, came up against a dominant Ealing side 2 weeks ago. Ealing gave then a hard lesson in cohesion and finishing and Fylde will give them no respite, in what is expected to be a high scoring match.

The final fixture sees the London mid-table clash between Richmond and Blackheath. Newcomers to the league Richmond after a good start have somewhat struggled as indeed have Blackheath. Another close call but any side with Dave Allen and the driving maul in situ always stands a chance.

Coventry Rugby v Blaydon match preview.

This Saturday 8^th December kick off 3 pm sees Coventry Rugby return to the Butts Park Arena, for their home fixture against the high flying north east side Blaydon. Under the tutelage of former Newcastle Falcons prop having played over 200 games for them Micky Ward in his 2^nd season with Blaydon, who were formed in 1888, assisted by Lee Hogarth and player coach Jason Smithson, has seen his side progress from last year’s 7^th to third at present, only 4 points behind leaders Ealing Tfs. Already with 10 wins compared to last season’s 15 in total, and so far only 3 losses, a record that has seen them consistently in the top 4.

Helped by close links both off and on the field with former Premiership side Newcastle, Blaydon have a number of DR players from Newcastle, and Micky Ward also assists them in forward coaching.

Despite a budget lower than say the London clubs Blaydon remain competitive and have the advantage of keeping many players who do not want to move away from the North East, as it would not make commercial sense for them.

Last season both sides met in an intriguingly close hard fought series of games with both sides drawing 27 all at BPA, and 17 all at Crow Trees.

Blaydon have always had a reputation for a hard abrasive pack, but this season they seem to have added an extra dimension, not only do they have a similar defensive record as Coventry but are now scoring plenty of tries, being 2^nd in the current table for number of tries scored.

Blaydon started off this season by losing three of their first 6 games to the London trio of Richmond , Blackheath and a close home loss to Esher. Since then they have gone on to a run of 7 straight wins.

Their overall record includes away victories over Macclesfield, Wharfedale, Loughborough Students, Sedgley Park and 3 weeks ago Cinderford. At home, apart from the narrow defeat to Esher they have won 5 games including important wins over Fylde, Old Albanian and leaders Ealing Tfs.

Blaydon a well-rounded side especially this season but still with an impressive pack led by captain Matt Hall as hooker, and prop Rob Kilbraier, who has a knack of scoring tries against Coventry.

Lock Nick Hamilton is getting a name for himself as is back rower Ben Morris. Former Coventry player Rob Bell is still getting his fair share of MOM as is his fellow flanker Jason Smithson.

Yet the backs can’t be ignored as playmaker No 10 Andrew Baggett can punish you with his goal kicking, in fact he is just behind Cliffie Hodgson in the point scoring lists. In wingers Fraser Wilson and Tom Jeffrey as well as full back Gavin Painter the backs have the speed to punish teams.

Usually matches between these sides are close affairs with no quarter given. Blaydon are well able to mix up their game not only running it from all angles but they can play the catch and drive and mauling game if required.

Coventry Rugby will have to be on top form to maintain their recent home record- a crucial game for them as they go for their first win over a top 8 side, as they want to expunge their away form misery.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

2^nd December 2012