National league 1 week 2 Saturday 14th September..

match previews including Coventry Rugby v  Cinderford.

Week2/Round 2 Fixtures 14^th September 2013

Coventry Rugby                      v         Cinderford

Esher                                        v          Henley Raiders

Fylde                                         v         Wharfedale

Hull Ionians                              v         Doncaster Knights

Loughborough Students        v         Old Albanian

Rosslyn Park                             v         Richmond

Tynedale                                    v         Blaydon

Worthing Raiders                     v         Blackheath

This Week 2/Round 2 fixtures have been arranged, in effect to be 8 local derbies, subject to obvious geographical constraints.

Hull Ionians must be wondering what fixture god they have upset as they face a full-time squad and league title favourites Doncaster Knights. Despite a spirited performance in losing to Coventry Rugby where they had plenty of possession but little cutting edge, they need to step up their performance even more to get something out of Doncaster. The Knights, after a poor 1^st half against Blackheath, got their game together in the 2^nd with 5 tries, as their greater fitness, pace and clinical finishing was too good. A game which should see Doncaster run out as comfortable winners.

There is an intriguing clash as Esher meet Henley Hawks. Esher had something of a close and difficult win at Richmond whilst Henley now believe they could be a force in this league with a comprehensive win over Tynedale. If Henley Hawks, who had a dominant pack against Tynedale can get enough ball then they can run Esher close especially if the home side continue on with their discipline problems.

Rosslyn Park meet their close neighbours Richmond, after both teams were involved in close games last Saturday, both sides have everything to play for. Park will be thinking they need to improve after being held by Cinderford until the last 10 minutes, with a tremendous defensive performance, whilst Richmond ran Esher very close and felt they should have got something out that game. A game that could go either way, although Rosslyn Park appear to have the overall stronger squad.

Coventry Rugby after their 6 try win over Hull Ionians will still be looking for further improvement in their performance at home to Cinderford, who are still smarting after not beating one of the title favourites Rosslyn Park. A game that Coventry Rugby cannot take too lightly. A more detailed match preview follows.

League newcomers Worthing Raiders, after looking down and out at Wharfedale and being 38-12 down came back strongly in the last 10 minutes to snatch a couple of bonus points. They need to sort out their discipline problems as they take on Blackheath who were on the end of a heavy defeat at Doncaster. The strong Blackheath pack with the ubiquitous Dave Allen need to be controlled and if the pacey home backs can get enough possession they may cause an upset.

Loughborough Students, who surprised many with their large win away at Blaydon are at home to Old Albanian who need to tighten up their defence and take on the Students up front if they stand any sort of chance. The Student’s performance at Blaydon suggests that they have the pace and clinical finishing to punish any errors, making them slight favourites.

The North-West clash between Fylde and Wharfedale see both teams buoyant after large wins. However there is a real question mark over both teams defensive qualities. If Wharfedale’s pack can nullify the home sides possession then they do stand a chance of springing a surprise.

The final game sees the North-East fixture between Tynedale and Blaydon.  A clash not for the faint hearted as both suffered large defeats last week. Poor discipline cost Tynedale heavily, whilst Blaydon were punished for a series of unforced errors especially amongst their backs. A close clash which might just go to the home side if they get some of last week’s missing players back.

Coventry Rugby v Cinderford  match  preview.

This Saturday 14^th September at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3 pm, sees Coventry Rugby open their league home fixtures with the visit of Cinderford. The Forest of Dean side under new Head Coach Andy Deacon and new player /coach former Moseley fly-half Brad Davies will be looking to continue the exciting free flowing style they played with over the past two seasons. They will be looking to improve their defensive abilities this season, after making a good start last week only conceding 1 try to one of the league’s title favourites, Rosslyn Park.

Last season Cinderford finished in 11^th place just 2 match points behind Coventry Rugby who were in 9^th. The corresponding fixtures last season saw the home sides triumph with Coventry Rugby losing narrowly away by 36-31, but winning the return fixture 29-12.

Andy Deacon has brought in at least 22 new players, yet has retained the majority of last season’s squad. Key retained players include wingers Nev Codlin and Lloyd Stapleton, with Mike Wilcox at full-back and fly-half Mike Davies, as well as fast centre Jack Adams and No 8 George Evans.

Important new signings include Newcastle Falcons centre Sam Hanks and former Coventry lock Tom Hicks who comes in from Gloucester Academy, on a dual registered loan basis. With Andy Deacon maintaining both his close links with Premiership side Gloucester Rugby taking on at least 3 more dr loan players, as well as with Hartpury College, he feels he has greater strength in depth.

Coventry Rugby, who on their own admission need to improve their performance, despite their 6 try win away at Hull Ionians, where once again their defensive prowess came to the fore, coupled with a sharp clinical finishing ability, which was too often missing last season.

In view of this season’s apparent defensive frugality from both sides an intriguing match is in prospect, with both sides capable of scoring tries at will from all areas of the pitch. Yet the battle may still be won upfront with both sides fielding experienced pack members so an attritional clash is expected at least initially. Another game that Coventry Rugby cannot afford to take too lightly, before what is expected to be the largest gate of the season so far in National League 1.

Concessions are being allowed to all Coventry City season ticket holders for this Cinderford game only, with a £7.00 entrance for Coventry City season ticket holders showing proof of their 2012-2013 season ticket.

This will allow such football fans a tester for National League 1 rugby in Coventry, allowing them to support a locally based side.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

10^th September 2013.