National One Review: Round 19

Round 19 was one of the best yet as league leaders Ealing slipped up for just the second time this season while newly promoted Hartpury have now won an incredible six consecutive games.

Blaydon 31-38 Blackheath
Blackheath survived a late rally from Blaydon to hang on for maximum points in what was a immense away win at Crow Trees this weekend. When Dave Allen crashed across for the Club's fifth try in the 50th minute, the visitors led by 26-points, and the game looked all but over. However, Blaydon’s ferocious pack roared back but in the end fell short. Blackheath are now six points clear of Richmond in fifth while Blaydon’s form means they have slipped to eleventh, 9 points above the bottom three.
Man of the match: Mike Canty (Blackheath)
 
Cinderford 27-22 Ealing Trailfinders
Sam Hanks was a double try hero as relegation threatened Cinderford overcame the league leaders Ealing Trailfinders in this weekends major upset. The Stags turned around a 10-7 half time deficit to win and dramatically move out of the bottom three. This unexpected turn of events which shows that there is still plenty of life left in the race to the Championship. Despite the loss the Trailfinders still lead the way four points clear of Coventry while Cinderford moved up to thirteenth, but remain just two points above the bottom three.
Man of the match: Sam Hanks (Cinderford)
 
Esher 8-36 Hartpury College
Hartpury continued their impressive form to make it six consecutive wins, rolling over an Esher side that never really got going. The win takes the College seven points clear of Esher in the table with both hovering very much in mid table.
Man of the match: Matt Protheroe (Hartpury College)
 
Loughborough Students 14-7 Fylde
Despite conceding after just two minutes Loughborough Students battled back to overcome Fylde. The visitors took the lead through Captain Evan Stewart and despite controlling possession for long periods after failed to add to their advantage. The home side scored against the run of play as centre Jack Wardle made a break, who fed winger Yiannis Loizias to race away under the posts.  The Students started the second half strongly and after 47 minutes had their first lead in the game as scrum half Tom James sniped over from close range. The hosts then held on for what could be a crucial win in the battle for survival.
Man of the match: Tom James (Loughborough)
Reaction
    •    Loughborough Students director of rugby Dave Morris
“It was a really valuable win, it was a committed performance, I thought first half we were a little bit lateral in what we did and we lacked a bit of the physicality required to stop them getting quick ball. In the second half I thought we came out and we upped our physicality both with and without the ball.”
    •    Fylde Coach Mark Nelson @FyldeRugby1stXV January 18th
No lack of effort by all 20 Fylde players at Lboro, just didn’t get the breaks and they defended like men possessed.
 
Macclesfield 29-33 Darlington Mowden Park
DMP travelled to Macclesfield RFC expecting a tough game and they were not disappointed, as the home side battled every step of the way, even when down to 12 players on the field following three yellow cards. With two minutes to go Matt King touched down for Macc to put Darlington under immense pressure. However, the visitors kept a cool head to keep things tight and make sure they would be heading back to the North East with all five points while the hosts had to settle for two.
Man of the match: Lewis Johnston (Darlington Mowden Park)
 
Old Albanians 10-19 Rosslyn Park
Two second-half tries from Rosslyn Park closed the gap at the top of the table as they saw off Old Albanians. The loss means despite a spirited performance the OA’s have dropped into the bottom three, 2 points from safety while Park stay cemented in third.
Man of the match: Richard Gregg (Old Albanians)
 
Richmond 38-17 Tynedale
Richmond heaped more misery on struggling Tynedale as they ran out comfortable winners. The host led 21-10 at the break but the game had been closer then the scoreline suggested with Tynedale putting Richmond under some real pressure. However the visitors failed to take advantage of some decent possession and two tries from Richmond’s Simon Ackroyd put the game to bed with Rob Kirby, who touched down in the first half, converting both easily.
Man of the match: Rob Kirby (Richmond)
 
Wharfedale 13-17 Coventry
Coventry dug deep to secure their first-ever victory at Wharfedale while extending their phenomenal winning run to 15 games, which is now their best sequence since the 1962-63 season. Wharfedale had led 13-7 early in the second half with an upset become a real possibility. However,
Man of the match: Cliffie Hodgson (Coventry)
Reaction
    •    Coventry full-back, Cliffie Hodgson, @Cliff_Hodgy Jan 16th
By far the coldest game I’ve EVER played, got the result we wanted! Boys delivered, & privileged to be involved with this group #gameon
    •    Coventry second row, Tom Poole, @tompoole04 Jan 17th
Leaving Emmerdale after the mud wrestling for @CoventryRugby. Boys dug in for hard fought win in the snow #15inarow #getdownthewoolpack