National league 1 week 8 - 26th October 2013 match previews.

including  Coventry Rugby v Blackheath.

Fixtures Week 8 - Saturday 26^th October

Cinderford                  v         Old Albanian

Coventry Rugby         v         Blackheath

Esher                            v        Fylde

Henley Hawks             v        Doncaster Knights

Hull Ionians                  v        Wharfedale

Richmond                     v        Blaydon

Rosslyn Park                 v        Worthing Raiders

Tynedale                       v        Loughborough Students

Week 8 sees the key game between title hopefuls Esher and Fylde, whilst at the other end of the table there are must wins all at home for the bottom three sides Hull Ionians, Cinderford and Tynedale.

Second placed and unbeaten at home Esher entertain the try scoring machine who are 6^th placed Fylde. The Lancashire side are capable of beating anyone in this league and with lock Paul Arnold in inspired try scoring form they will pose a stern test for the aspiring title hopefuls Esher. The home side need to curb the fast offloading style of Fylde with a strong pack performance required. A win for Esher will keep pressure on Doncaster, whilst a win for Fylde would bring them into the top 5.

The only side with a 100% record - leaders Doncaster Knights travel to league newcomers Henley Hawks. With the home side still unbeaten at Dry Leas, Doncaster can’t take this game too lightly but with the Knights finding some impressive form especially in their backs Doncaster should have enough to strengthen their lead at the top of the league.

Third placed Rosslyn Park have Worthing Raiders as their visitors. Already Worthing have the greatest number of bonus points in the league yet only one win whilst Park are still unbeaten. With Rosslyn Park finding it difficult to boost their own bonus points, however, the power of their pack should prove decisive. Yet Worthing are capable of scoring tries but need to win games otherwise they will be too close to the relegation zone.

Loughborough Students now in 4^th place travel up to face a Tynedale side now back into the relegation places. On the face of it the Students should be too fast and powerful but they were taught a lesson by Doncaster Knights in clinical finishing, and Tynedale’s need to win may prove more important.

Coventry Rugby now in 5^th place entertain one of their historical opponents in Blackheath. Both sides lost last Saturday, with Coventry needing to win to get back into the top 4 whilst Blackheath are wanting to avoid dropping further down the league. A more detailed match preview of Coventry Rugby v Blackheath will appear at the end of this general preview.

Bottom side Hull Ionians face another tricky fixture in their home match with Wharfedale. Although Dale have been finding it difficult to win away from home they should have more than enough pack power and speed behind to inflict an 8th consecutive defeat on league newcomers Hull Ionians. A win for Wharfedale would put them within sight of the top 6 whilst another loss for Hull would be too much for them to catch up.

Richmond another side struggling to put wins together face a Blaydon side looking for their 4^th consecutive victory. A win for Blaydon could move them into the top half of the table. A close tense match is expected but with the form going with the away side they might just sneak a win.

The final game involves bottom three side Cinderford at home to Old Albanian. Both sides have found it difficult to win and not having the clinical finishing required to close out games. Cinderford only have one win whilst Old Albanian have won twice, so another close game is expected with Cinderford being slight favourites on their own ground.

Coventry Rugby v Blackheath match preview.

This Saturday 26^th October here at the Butts Park Arena, kick off as usual 3pm sees Coventry Rugby  meet  Blackheath before what is expected to be another 4 figure crowd. Blackheath or ”club” as they are known were founded in 1858 becoming one of the founder members of the RFU in 1871  as the game became separate from Association Football.

Last season Blackheath finished in 10^th position with 13 wins and 70 points compared to Coventry Rugby 9^th place, again with 13 wins but on 72 points. Last season Coventry did the double over Blackheath, winning a close home encounter 13-10 but winning the away game 30-8 in what was their best away win of the season.

This season under new Head Coach Simon Legg Blackheath have recruited a much bigger squad but have kept the majority of last season’s apart from No 10 Rory Teague. New recruits include impressive fly half David Marshall from Nottingham who is 4^th in the league’s best goal kickers, two new centres, Simon Whatling from London Welsh and Marcus Burcham.

Key players retained include the ubiquitous Dave Allen at no 7 whose supposed retirement was greatly exaggerated although his try scoring exploits have been somewhat curtailed this season, Tom Strudwick and Tom Bason at locks, and James Catt at No 8. An experienced front row include Gavin O’Meara at hooker and props James Cleverly, Nick Winwood and Desmond  Brett. The backs are well represented by wingers Liam Gibson and Geoff Griffiths the team’s leading try scorer. The influential full back Mike Canty and scrum half Jack Walsh have the ability to change any game.

Blackheath have had something of a mixed start to the season and are currently in 9^th place with 3 wins compared to Coventry Rugby’s 5^th place and 5 wins. However, after losing their first game heavily at Doncaster Knights 47-17, they have gone on to beat Loughborough Students 47-50 in what must have been a defensive nightmare.

Two further home losses have occurred to Fylde and Rosslyn Park and away at Esher. Their two other wins have been away at Worthing and at home to Tynedale.

An intriguing match is in prospect for these two old rivals as both have abrasive and effective packs, being well matched both up front and in the backs. Blackheath are famed for their rolling maul with Dave Allen usually on the end of it. A win for Blackheath would get them into the top half of the league whilst Coventry Rugby need to put behind them their recent away performances and get back to winning ways, not only to maintain their unbeaten home record but to regain their top three position.

Another good crowd is expected at the Butts Park Arena with concessions for Coventry City season ticket holders and of course all u 16’s get in free when accompanied by a member or paying adult.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

22^nd October 2013.