Week 14 national league 1 results round up Saturday 6th Dec.

Results Saturday 6th December 2014.

Coventry Rugby                           62          31       Fylde

Darlington Mowden Park           29         17       Loughborough Students

Ealing Tfs                                       31         27       Blackheath

Esher                                              42         12       Blaydon

Hartpury College                          15         10       Old Albanian

Macclesfield                                  24         32       Wharfedale

Richmond                                      30         32       Cinderford

Tynedale                                         0          47       Rosslyn Park

For the third week running 7 out of the 8 games resulted in bonus point wins. A Saturday that saw the top three consolidate their hold on the top with all recording bonus point wins with clear water now between them and Fylde in fourth place. At the other end of the table saw a surprise bonus point win for Cinderford at Richmond, although still leaving them in the second relegation place brings them closer to safety with no less than 6 other sides within just 6 points of danger.

The Match of the Day between Coventry Rugby and Fylde lived to expectations as Coventry beat their closest rivals by 9 tries to 4. A frenetic first half saw the powerful home backs and back-row run through their Fylde fringe defence at will, only for them to negate this superiority by becoming too loose and letting the much vaunted Fylde backs to counter attack from deep in four tries of their own. The second half saw Coventry Rugby take more control running in 4 more tries with the only response a penalty goal from Fylde as they visibly tired and became more fractious. Another deserved win over a top four side that moves Coventry 7 points ahead of Fylde and consolidates their position in third place.

Before a miniscule crowd leaders Ealing Tfs had a harder than expected game as they overcame   their local rivals Blackheath, who went into an early lead. Despite plenty of second half pressure Blackheath were unable to take full advantage and a late Phil Chesters try sealed it for Ealing. In the end the difference was in number of conversions.All credit to the visitors whose two even later tries gave them a deserved two bonus points and a boost before their clash with Coventry Rugby next week.

Rosslyn Park in arguably the most publicised mismatch of the season due to Tynedale’s injury ravaged side,who were indeed overcome by the Park side who ran in 7 tries led by a hat-trick from winger Charlie Broughton, as a constant loss of possession from scrums and line-outs put Tynedale on the back foot. The win keeps Rosslyn Park just one point behind Ealing but leaves Tynedale  just 3 points from safety and nervously looking over their shoulder.

The surprise result of the day saw visitors Cinderford come from behind at Richmond after being in arrears 30-8 at half-time to win. With fly-half Lloyd Evans leading the fight-back with a try helped by a home yellow card, Cinderford managed the win with a last minute Evans penalty. A win that although keeping Cinderford in deep danger,does bring them within 5 points from safety.

Blaydon continues their Jekyll and Hyde away performances as they had no answer to Esher, whose running style negated that of the Blaydon’s more muscular approach. A win that keeps the home side in 7^th spot but now 7 points ahead of Blaydon who are now themselves only 7 points from safety.

Despite scoring 4 tries and thus a bonus point, bottom side Macclesfield were unable to over-come their visitors Wharfedale despite leading at half-time. Two second half yellow card disrupted any thought of Macclesfield getting their second league win of the season. Despite this loss Dale who are now in 9^th place are still only 6 points from safety.

Two sides struggling to escape the danger zone met as Hartpury College beat Old Albanian in a close contest. Despite going into the game with better form OA were unable to counteract the new College No 10 Simon Protheroe who later ran the show setting up the winning try. The win moves Hartpury up to 10^th place but drops OA only ahead of the relegation spot due to points difference.

The final game saw a win at last by Darlington Mowden Park over a Loughborough Students side. The power of the home pack especially in the first half saw Park take control as this much needed win moves them up to 12^th place but still only 2 points ahead of the Students who have now dropped to the third relegation place.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

7^th December 2014.