Week 3 - round 3 national league 1 previews...

...Saturday 19th September 2015 including Coventry Rugby v Hartpury College.

Week 3 Fixtures Saturday 19th September.

Blaydon                      v        Wharfedale

Cinderford                  v       Ampthill & District

Coventry Rugby         v       Hartpury College

Esher                           v       Loughborough Students

Fylde                           v       Richmond

Henley Hawks            v       Blackheath

Hull Ionians                v       Plymouth Albion

Rosslyn Park               v       Darlington Mowden Park

Round 3 sees unbeaten sides Coventry Rugby and Rosslyn Park face tricky home fixtures, whilst Ampthill & District faces the slightly easier task with a trip to winless Cinderford. The other two sides yet to win, Wharfedale and Loughborough Students also face difficult away trips.

League toppers Coventry Rugby have possibly their hardest game so far as Hartpury College are their visitors. Last season Hartpury beat Coventry here at the BPA and buoyant from their impressive home victory over Fylde will be in confident mood. Coventry Rugby will be looking to avenge last season’s result and maintain pressure on those teams around them. A full preview will follow.

The only other 100% side Ampthill & District visit bottom side Cinderford. Ampthill have settled well into the league with their blend of youth, loans and experienced players, and surely this is a game they will win, leaving Cinderford nervously struggling at the bottom of the league.

Rosslyn Park, after their narrow victory at Plymouth Albion, will be looking to remain unbeaten as they face a Darlington Mowden Park side who let both their supporters and themselves down with a below standard performance in losing at home to Henley Hawks. Although a better performance is expected by the visitors I expect that Rosslyn Park have enough overall power and class to win this one.

Hull Ionians will be looking to keep their home form going but face a Plymouth Albion side growing in confidence despite having to start the season virtually with a brand new squad. The home side have started better than expected and should prove a stern test for Albion who might just get a close victory.

Henley Hawks came back from their 10 try mauling at the hands of Rosslyn Park to record somewhat of a surprising win at DMP, now have Blackheath as their visitors. Blackheath will be confident after their large win over Cinderford but equally so will be Henley. With both sides packs improving this could be a contest that could go either way.

Esher, back on form after a large win at Wharfedale, entertains an under-performing Loughborough Students side, who are yet to win. A very experienced home side with speed in the backs should be more than a match for the Students, who are taking time to recover from the loss of key personnel from last season.

Another side yet to win Wharfedale face the daunting trip to their neighbours Blaydon. Wharfedale have left their fightback too late in their first two fixtures and will be facing the formidable Blaydon pack. With Dale not expected to get too much possession a home win is on the cards.

The final game sees Fylde having Richmond as their visitors. Both sides have made a less than impressive start to the season, but Fylde on their own pitch can be a formidable opponent. A close home win is expected.

Coventry Rugby v Hartpury College match preview Saturday 19th September 2015.

This coming Saturday 19th September Coventry Rugby face Hartpury College at home at the Butts Park Arena, with kick off at 3pm.  This will be Coventry Rugby’s second home game of the season and will be defending their 100% record before what is expected to be the largest NL1 gate of the day.

Hartpury College, just outside Gloucester, was initially an Agricultural College, which expanded into Elite Sports including Rugby in 2000. Hartpury RFC was founded in 2004 and since that time has moved steadily through the league system being promoted to NL1 at the start of last season. Boasting a number of pitches including an artificial one they are also host to Gloucester Premiership side for training. Close relations are maintained with Gloucester Rugby allowing a number of dual registered players to be attached to the College.

Under Director of Rugby Alan Martinovic they finished a creditable 5th last season , and are currently in 4th place on 7 points having gained 2 BP in losing at Hull Ionians plus a try bonus win in easily beating Fylde at home last Saturday, with an all action, hard tackling and muscular performance. Hartpury College do not just rely on current students but have recruited a number of experienced players especially in the pack, which has given them a greater consistency when inevitably a number of the student alumni go onto professional and semi- professional rugby careers.

Last season Coventry Rugby were involved in two extremely close games with Hartpury, beating them 23-21 at Hartpury thanks to a last minute penalty, but losing their home game by the same margin 20-22. A warning if any was needed that you cannot take them too lightly as Fylde found to their cost last week.

There have been a number of experienced recruits for Hartpury College this season, with lock Steve Pape coming in from Ealing Tfs and scrum-half Robbie Shaw, both players well known to Coventry Rugby. Alfie Barron and S Negri have boosted the front row with Elliott Creed at centre and Jack Evans at scrum-half. Flanker and Italy U 20’s player Jake Polledri has come in from Bristol Rugby as well as DR player hooker and flanker James Stephenson. Tim Stevenson at No 10 returns after injury and wingers Mark Harrison and J Mikalcius are regular members of the squad.

A number of key players remain from last season including a vastly experienced front row of Chris Fortey as prop and coach, props Tim Brockett, Mike Flook, Wayne Thompson and hooker Will Tanner.

Will Safe remains as flanker and the goal-kicking and key full-back work is provided by Gareth Thompson. Steve Leonard at centre has also returned with Ben Ellis at scrum-half.

Certainly an intriguing encounter for Coventry Rugby, as they face their sternest test of the season and very mindful of what happened last season. Hartpury College are a good all round side with an effective pack and plenty of experience to match that of youthful endeavour and fitness.

There is no danger of Coventry Rugby taking this game too lightly as Hartpury’s large win over fancied Fylde last Saturday should be a sufficient warning.A test for both sides as they jockey to make their mark for the coming season.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

14th September 2015.