National League 1 round 20 - 26th January 2013 match preview

including Coventry Rugby v Macclesfield.

Fixtures 26^th January:

Blackheath                v     Sedgley Park

Esher                          v     Blaydon

Fylde                          v     Ealing Tfs

Loughborough St     v     Rosslyn Park

Macclesfield              v     Coventry

Richmond                   v     Cinderford

Tynedale                     v     Cambridge

Wharfedale                v      Old Albanian

After last week’s cancellation of all National League 1 games due to weather or safety concerns, hopefully this Saturday will see a full complement of fixtures.

Once again there are key games for the top four sides, with three of them facing potentially difficult away fixtures.

Leaders Ealing now more than one win ahead of Blaydon, face a tricky away game at Fylde, whose erratic form has recently stabilised. Earlier in the season Fylde only lost 36-31 away to Ealing so they must fancy their chances for a home win.

It is 4^th against 2^nd as Esher entertain Blaydon, a win for both sides is crucial for both to keep in touch with the leaders. Esher looking for a hat-trick of wins should be slight favourites over a Blaydon side who 2 weeks ago lost their first game in 12.

Rosslyn Park in 3^rd and now only one win behind Blaydon face an away trip to Loughborough Students. Despite Park’s recent annihilation with 104 points over Cambridge, their recent form has not been that good, and provided the Students have got over their bruises from the Coventry game   should prove difficult opponents.

The relegation zone sees difficult games for the three sides involved.

Bottom side Cambridge still in shock after the Rosslyn Park debacle face another away trip this time to the north-east to face Tynedale. Dale who are capable of matching any side in this league should be just too powerful for their visitors.

Just ahead of Cambridge is Macclesfield who face a difficult home match this time against Coventry Rugby. Coventry looking for their fourth win in a row and a third successive away victory will be confident for the win. However the Cheshire side cannot be taken for granted as they are showing the best form of the bottom three sides, and are formidable at home. Coventry will have to be at their best.

Sedgley Park in 14^th spot cannot fancy their trip to Blackheath. Park having only won once in 12 games, lost out heavily away to Richmond two weeks ago. Blackheath now in 6^th place should be strong enough to beat Sedgley Park, who are still 12 points from safety.

Old Albanian having aspirations for a top four finish in their first season need to beat their hosts Wharfedale to maintain the pressure on Esher. Only having lost twice in 12 games OA should be slight favourites over a Wharfedale side now on a losing streak of 4 games, and are nervously looking over their shoulder at Macclesfield and Sedgley Park both wanting to escape the relegation zone.

The final game sees a mid-table clash between Richmond and Cinderford, 9^th and 10^th place respectively, yet who are both still only one win from 6^th place. Another game too close to call but the home side should be slight favourites.

Coventry Rugby v Macclesfield match preview

Next Saturday 26^th January 2013 Coventry Rugby make their third successive away trip as they travel up to Cheshire to face Macclesfield, kick off 3 pm. Coventry Rugby will be wanting to put behind them the disappointment of not being able to play Rosslyn Park last week, but they will now be looking for their third double of the season, this time over Macclesfield as they powered to a win over their hosts 38-3 earlier in the season following a strong second half performance. A win for Coventry will be their third successive away win of the season and a record fourth win in succession. Last season Coventry Rugby won the home fixture 36-25 but lost the return away game 40-10.

Under experienced Director of Rugby Geoff Wappett, Macclesfield after finishing 6th last season has seen his side somewhat struggle this with just  5 wins  and are currently in 15^th place still 14 points from safety.

Home wins over Cambridge, Blackheath, Wharfedale and Cinderford as well as an away win at Tynedale have given Macclesfield hope and are showing the best current form of the three teams in the relegation zone.

Despite losing the influential Mulchrone brothers pre-season to Rotherham, No 9 Matt Rhodes and centre Elliot Brierley have made the opposite journey. Always having a reputation for a strong pack Macclesfield have signed experienced new recruit Dave Marwick as lock/back row from Stockport/Blaydon, as well as No 8 Frankie Barker.  An experienced front row include former Coventry prop Martin Kent and front row partner Tom Mantell.

In captain and fly half Tom Eaton they have the league’s 9th leading goal kicker, tactician and playmaker and Coventry Rugby cannot afford to ignore him or give him space. Outside him pace is found with full back Jack Moorhouse and wingers Ed Stobart and Josh Fowles.

A game  both sides need  to win, Macclesfield to try and escape the clutches of the drop zone, whilst Coventry Rugby need to build on their recent success and put a marker down for the rest of the season. A game that Coventry cannot take for granted, but with their three successive wins behind them they should have the confidence and ability to win.

The Coventry side to face Macclesfield away this Saturday kick off 3pm will be published as soon as it is known.

Tom Little

 Coventry Rugby press office

20^th January 2013