National League Division One Preview – Round 14

A few weeks ago we mentioned that it looked like Ealing Trailfinders could cruise to the league championship but after losing their first game of the season against Coventry last weekend, the title race is firmly on.

As well as this, the bottom half continues to remain tight with just with just six points separating ninth and 14th place as we enter Round 14 of National League One action.

Ealing Trailfinders v Blackheath
Like we said, Ealing lost their first game of the season 32-26 to Coventry last Saturday to end their 12 match winning run in the league. They still do sit at the top of the league, but now the gap is just a point between themselves and second placed Rossyln Park despite them coming away from Coventry with a two bonus points. Ealing host Blackheath this weekend hoping they can keep their 100 per cent home record intact.
As for Blackheath, they won once again on home soil last weekend as they saw off Tynedale 48-7 after a sensational second half surge which saw Blackheath score six unanswered tries. They go to Vallis Park on Saturday with just one away win in four matches and do have the chance to go fifth with a win.

Tynedale v Rossyln Park
As we mentioned, Tynedale suffered their seventh defeat of the season against Blackheath and before that game, had shipped 50 points in four of their last five matches, but were much improved last Saturday despite what the score line might suggest. They are currently ninth in the table and have picked up just two wins in their last seven. No surprise they have the second worst defensive record in the league.
They host Rossyln Park this weekend who have won their last 10 matches and haven’t lost since they were beaten by Fylde 22-17 in September. Park scored four tries in a 29-19 win over Darlington Mowden Park last Saturday, but could well have lost the match as they were reduced to 13 men with 20 minutes remaining and were 24-12 up, but managed to see the game out. They now know a win could take them top on Saturday evening, but they will have the match against Ealing, which is happeneing next weekend, in the back of their minds.

Coventry v Fylde
Similar to Rossyln Park, Coventry are a side bang in form having won their last nine games and produced that outstanding display against Ealing last Saturday to continue that run. In front of a huge crowd at the Butts Park Arena, this run of wins is also a new club record for the number of successive wins for the side since the league system began in 1987. They are currently third in the league and will want to cement that place this weekend when fourth placed Fylde come and visit Coventry.
This could well be game of the weekend in this division with Fylde just three points behind The Blues and there is just nine points now separating the top four. Fylde are on a run of seven straight home league wins in their third consecutive year in this league, but their away form has only seen them win two of their six games.  The North-West based side beat Cinderford 35-11 last Saturday and they will be looking for their first win against Coventry in three matches this weekend.

Richmond v Cinderford
Fifth placed Richmond are trying desperately to cling to the coattails of the top four, but with one win in their last three, there is now a 10 point gap which has opened up. Last weekend they lost 29- 19 to Wharfdale which was their fourth straight away defeat. In comparison to that, they have only lost once at home all season and welcome a Cinderford side which has shown very little on the road this campaign.
Recently Cinderford welcomed former Chester Director of Rugby Nic Corrigan to the club, but that change hasn’t seen a change in results so far. There has been an improvement in performances, but after being beaten 35-11 by Fylde, they have now won once in their last nine matches and are yet to win away all season.  They currently lie 15th in the table.

Esher v Blaydon
Seventh take on eighth in this one with both sides looking for win number seven of the season on Saturday. They have identical records so far (six wins and seven defeats) but Esher have a two point gap due to having two more bonus points. Last week, Esher were beaten narrowly 24-22 by Old Albanian and have now lost all six of their away matches.  At home it is a different story. They have lost just once and welcome a Blaydon side who has lost their last four away matches. Blaydon did beat bottom club Macclesfield 39-0 last weekend, but they did lose this corresponding fixture last season 24-20 in January of this year.

Hartpury College v Old Albanian
Both of these sides are struggling as we are nearly at the halfway point of the season. Hartpury are 10th with Old A’s 13th but only two points separate the teams heading into Saturday. Hartpury lost to Loughborough students 30-13 last Friday night to condemn them to their fifth straight defeat. Their last win did come at home at the end of October and they will want turn their fortunes around this Saturday.
The Old Albanians left it virtually to the last minute against Esher last weekend to claim their fifth victory of the season which is their fifth in a row. They certainly have turned their season around after a very difficult start to the campaign and go to Hartpury looking to continue their impressive run. They are clearly one of the form sides in the division.
Coach’s View
Andy Holloway – Old Albanian coach: “We have always considered Esher a top three side and so it is very satisfying to come away with the spoils. Our application needs close attention, however. If we give every effort and have total attention to detail we will have a very successful period up to the Xmas break. It is entirely in our own hands.”

Macclesfield v Wharfedale
Since Macc’s win three weeks ago against Loughborough Students they have shipped 90 points. After last week’s 39-0 defeat up in Blaydon head coach Giles Heagerty knows his side are capable of climbing up the league and staying in this division. They have won just once all season and are yet to win at home and host Wharfedale on Saturday afternoon.
Macclesfield are currently 21 points behind Wharfedale who are 11th in table and have lost their last six away matches and haven’t won on the road since the opening day of the season against Hartpury College. It’s the visitor’s home record which is keeping them towards the right end of the bottom half, but they are still four points from safety.

Darlington Mowden Park v Loughborough Students
Darlington Mowden Park slipped back into the bottom three after defeat to Rossyln Park last weekend and host Loughborough Students on Saturday. DMP have won just twice at home this season and those wins came against the bottom two in the division so they will be looking to put that right this weekend. They have won just once in their last four matches.
As for Loughborough their win against counterparts Hartpury will give them a confidence boost heading into this game. Currently in 12th place they haven’t won in their last three away matches and know how important this Saturday’s game will be as they are just three points ahead of Darlington.