Week 26 national league 1 results round up...

...Saturday 14th March 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Tynedale.  

Week 26 Results Saturday 14^th March 2015.

Blackheath                                 29         27             Darlington Mowden Park

Blaydon                                      26          19            Richmond

Coventry Rugby                        64          12            Tynedale

Fylde                                           14          39            Ealing Trailfinders

Loughborough Students         36          20            Esher

Old Albanian                             50          26            Macclesfield

Rosslyn Park                             36           11            Hartpury College

Wharfedale                              32           21             Cinderford

Mixed emotions at the Butts Park Arena as Coventry Rugby comprehensively defeated visitors Tynedale , thus virtually sealing their fate for relegation after so many years in NL1. Indeed it was a poignant moment after the game as a joint team photograph was taken as a lasting memory of Tynedale’s visit. Ten tries were Coventry’s answer to their recent three losses and despite a game performance by Tynedale the power shown by Coventry throughout the game helped by their experienced and classy bench proved decisive. Coventry Rugby season of records smashed continues with this win giving them their highest number of NL1 wins in a season, as well as breaking 100 match points for the first time. With 4 games to go they are still on target to beat many more records.

Leaders Ealing Trailfinders maintained their lead over Rosslyn Park with an efficient bonus point win over a brave but outclassed Fylde side. Once again it was the influence of No 8 Arthur Ellis who led the way with a brace of tries, followed by some scintillating tries from the backs.

Closest challengers Rosslyn Park duly had their 10 consecutive win this time over a  hardworking Hartpury College side, who held the home side to just 17-11 at half-time. Then the power of the home pack took over helped by another Ellis brother Hugo, with his own brace of tries. A bonus point win which keeps Park with 9 points of Ealing but requiring Coventry Rugby to do them a huge favour in 2 weeks’ time.

The battle for the final relegation spot seems virtually over as Old Albanian had a regulation bonus point win over bottom side Macclesfield. The game was over by half-time with OA getting 5 tries, but at least Macclesfield gained a losing BP with a brave second half fightback. This win moves Old Albanian 10 points ahead of Cinderford.

Cinderford indeed had to beat Wharfedale away to have any realistic chance of catching up with Old Albanian. A close game at all times, with the more clinical finishing of the home side crucial, a win that keeps Wharfedale in this league for the 20^th consecutive season, but realistically leaves Cinderford facing the drop.

Blackheath made sure they held onto 4^th place with a bonus point win over a steadily improving Darlington Mowden Park side. A half-time lead  by Park was overturned in the second half helped by a brace of tries from new recruit winger Omari Caro, a late try by the impressive Ben Rath salvaged 2 losing BP’s for Park which puts them in sight of Richmond in 7^th spot, whilst Blackheath increase their advantage to 5 points ahead of Fylde.

As expected it was a tight game at Blaydon as the home side fought back from a half-time deficit to beat Richmond. An eminently forgettable first  50 minutes finally burst into life with 6 tries  as the home side initially took control, before a late Richmond try  gained them a losing BP.

The final game saw a tremendous second half fightback by Loughborough Students after trailing 20-3 to visitors Esher after 50 minutes. Five late tries followed helped by a brace from full-back Sam Pointon as finally the Students put themselves in sight of a top half finish.Another disappointing loss by Esher, who now slip down to 12^th place.

There are no NL1 fixtures this coming Saturday 21^st March so the preview for Week 27, the away match against Ealing Trailfinders on the 28^th March will be done next week. There are however two key fixtures to look out for next weekend in the Championship, which will have a direct bearing on relegation to NL1, with Moseley away to Nottingham and Plymouth Albion at home to Yorkshire Carnegie.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

16^th March 2015.