National league 1 match previews week 29 Saturday 2013.

including Coventry Rugby v Sedgley Park.

Fixtures Saturday 20^th April:

Cambridge          v     Ealing Tfs

Cinderford          v      Loughborough St

Coventry             v      Sedgley Park

Fylde                    v      Blackheath

Macclesfield       v      Old Albanian

Richmond            v      Esher

Rosslyn Park        v     Blaydon

Tynedale               v     Wharfedale

With Ealing Tfs already crowned Champions the attention switches to the fight over the final two relegation places, with no fewer than 7 sides fighting to escape third place with three sides fighting over  2^nd place.

One of the key games must be the visit of Sedgley Park to Coventry Rugby. A loss for Sedgley Park would see them relegated and even a win may not be enough if both Macclesfield and Wharfedale win. It is a bit more complicated for Coventry as this preview was written before the result of their mid-week game against Esher is known. A win in either game would see them  virtually safe with the possibility of getting up to 9^th place. A more detailed Coventry Rugby v Sedgley Park match preview follows.

The two sides favourite for the third relegation place Wharfedale and Macclesfield both face difficult games; a defeat for each side would narrow down the fight over third place just to those two, with the 5 remaining affected teams breathing a collective sigh of relief. Macclesfield are the most vulnerable as they have played one game more than Wharfedale, and although they have a home fixture with Old Albanians, their visitors are in such a rich vein of form and may even catch Rosslyn Park in 4^th place. A game that Macclesfield will have to be on top form to win.

Wharfedale, despite their home win over Macclesfield face a problematic away trip to Tynedale, who themselves are not yet safe. The home side surprised many with their strong showing away at Esher so Wharfedale can expect no easy ride as a defeat for them will leave Macclesfield as their only rival for relegation.

The clash between Cinderford and Loughborough Students sees both sides needing a win to make sure of survival. The Students have recently stuttered and Cinderford, after another strong away showing at champions Ealing must fancy their home form will see them through.

Another side needing to win to make sure of safety is Blackheath, whose recent form has been poor. Meeting Fylde is perhaps not the best team they could meet, as Fylde have found their form and are pressurising Old Albanian over 5^th place. Although it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances to affect Blackheath, they cannot afford to take chances.

Pride is only at stake for the final three games, with already relegated Cambridge hosting champions Ealing Tfs. Only one winner here but Cambridge still have the ability to score a few tries.

Top 4 sides Rosslyn Park  and Blaydon meet, Park’s recent defeat by Old Albanian effectively removing them from a higher than 4th spot. Blaydon whose 6 try demolition of Coventry has kept them within sight of 2^nd place Esher so a close game is expected.

The final game sees another London derby this time between Richmond and Esher. Esher comes to the game before the result of their mid-week clash with Coventry is known, but Esher should be strong enough to maintain their second place in the league.

Coventry rugby v Sedgley Park match preview.

This Saturday 20^th April at home at the Butts Park Arena kick off 3 pm sees Coventry Rugby meet Sedgley Park. This crucial match sees both sides needing the win, Coventry Rugby to escape any danger of being sucked into the relegation zone, and Sedgley Park needing to keep their slim survival chances alive at least for another week. Even a win for Park will not be enough if both Macclesfield and Wharfedale win.

Sedgley Park have had a difficult season to say the least losing a series of coaches with former Coventry player Louis McGowan now acting as Head Coach, with Ade Gardner as backs coach.

Last season Park finished in 9^th place, but this season are currently in 15th place with 7 wins and 20 losses, and a total of  40 points compared to Coventry’s 62. So far they have scored 61 tries compared to Coventry’s 72 and boast the second worse defensive record in the league.

Since beating Coventry is a close game with Coventry spurning a number of chances, Sedgley Park have beaten Wharfedale away and has seen victory in their last two games over Cambridge at home and Cinderford away, Coventry have had 5 victories since then but have lost their last three games.

Games between both sides have recently been close affairs so Coventry cannot take this game for granted. Park still have a useful pack with a strong front row and experienced Juan Crous at No 8.There is still enough pace in the backs to worry teams with brothers Chris and Simon Parrott, Matt and Andy Riley and Tom Leader on the wing. Experienced Steve Collins has come in from Fylde as has Callum McShane.

This preview has been written before the result of the mid-week game between Coventry Rugby and Esher is known, but whatever happens then Coventry Rugby require the support of a large crowd in their last home game of this season.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

15^th April 2013.