National league 1 results roundup week 27...

Saturday 6th April 2013.

Results 6^th April:

Cambridge                 23           27            Blaydon

Cinderford                  23           31           Sedgley Park

Coventry                     34           39           Old Albanian

Ealing Tfs                     41           29          Loughborough Students

Macclesfield                12          62          Esher

Richmond                     36         29          Fylde

Rosslyn Park                 50           3         Wharfedale

Tynedale                       62          22         Blackheath

The first dry sunny Saturday for seemingly a season saw a record number of points and tries scored, and a bevy of defence coaches signing on to hair transplant clinics-at least the spectators enjoyed the day.

Congratulations must go to Ealing Tfs, although technically they need one more point to be confirmed as Champions from their last three games. Next week should see any uncertainty removed. It is still too close to call at the relegation end of the table as the third place is still open, although the losses by both Macclesfield and Wharfedale, gives a breathing space to the 4 teams just above them separated by just 2 points. This final place could hinge on next week’s contest between Wharfedale and Macclesfield.

Ealing achieved their obligatory bonus point home win over Loughborough Students in a fluid game. Once again the Students showed they could compete in a running game, with 4 tries of their own, and were within sight until two late tries clinched it for the Champions-elect.

The main interest then switches to the fight to avoid the third relegation spot, but Macclesfield were unable to continue their good unbeaten run as they met an Esher side whose backs were a class apart. Fullback Charlie Walker set the tone with 5 tries as the home side were well beaten. A win that confirms Esher as one of the pre-season favourites for next season.

Wharfedale were unable to take advantage of their rivals defeat as they were thumped heavily away at Rosslyn Park. With flyhalf Dan Mugford running the show the Dalesmen had no answer to the running of the home side, and now must fear the worst as they entertain Macclesfield next Saturday.

It was a tale of another flyhalf at Coventry as the home side had no answer to the experience and guile of Old Albanian player coach James Shanahan, who scored  one try and made two others in the 60 minutes he managed to play. A win that takes OA into 5^th place above Fylde, although the two precious losing bonus points for Coventry may prove crucial in the final run in. A ten try thriller which pleased the largest National League 1 crowd of the day if not the final result.

Tynedale eased their relegation fears with another comprehensive win over a fading Blackheath side. Once again the fast pacey running of Chris Harris and Hamish Smales proved decisive surely now making the north-easterners safe.

Another side making themselves safe was Richmond’s home bonus point win over Fylde.In a close contest full of running rugby it was Richmond who just about deserved to hang on for the win.

In what was expected to be the largest aggregate score of the afternoon that of bottom side Cambridge entertaining high flying Blaydon proved to be the lowest scoring. An excellence display by the already relegated home side including a maiden try for former Coventry player Ross Kevan kept the home side in the game until a late try won it for third placed Blaydon.

The surprise of the day saw virtually relegated Sedgley Park with a bonus point win at Cinderford. After last week’s great away win at Blaydon, Cinderford perhaps thought they had won it without even having to play. With Sedgley Park playing for pride and with some stalwarts back they ran out deserved winners.

With Ealing just about to depart this league there is no change in their expected replacement from the Championship being between Doncaster and Jersey.

However the promotion fight from National league 2 north and south is getting more enthralling.

Stourbridge for so long the odds on favourites from the north were defeated by their closest rivals Hull Ionians and now only lead them by 4 with the Ionians having a game in hand, meanwhile in the south Worthing still lead by 6 from Henley who also have a game in hand, and with both sides due to meet at Henley it could be winner takes, although the loser could still make the playoffs.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

7^th April 2013.