National 1 Week 5 update

Cinderford 5 – 35 Doncaster Knights League Points 0:5
Coventry 32 – 15 Henley Hawks League Points 5:0
Esher 31 – 10 Old Albanians League Points 5:0
Fylde 45 – 50 Worthing Raiders League Points 2:5
Hull Ionians 25 – 41 Richmond League Points 1:5
Loughborough Students 43 – 50 Blackheath League Points 2:5
Rosslyn Park 41 – 15 Blaydon League Points 5:1
Tynedale 27 – 40 Wharfedale League Points 0:4

Check out this weeks ROUND-UP for more information

Over 500 points in eight matches this weekend in the SSE National League One with 5 away wins

Cinderford 5 – 35 Doncaster Knights League Points 0:5
Five tries and a comprehensive away win for Doncaster Knights. Scorers were Paul Jarvis, Dave Clark, Tyson Lewis and a brace for Matt Challinor, with Doug Flockhart converting all. Lee Fortey got a 2nd half consolation for Cinderford from a line out drive.

Coventry 32 – 15 Henley Hawks League Points 5:0
Nearly 1500 people at the Butts Park Arena was Cov continue their bright start to the season with a 4-try bonus win against Henley Hawks. A dozen points for Cliffie Hodgson and tries for Mark Kohler, Will Hurrell, Chris Locke and Jacques Le Roux were enough. The Hawks managed a try by Luke Carter plus a penalty try whilst Cov were down to 14 men, James Comben picked up 5 points.

Esher 31 – 10 Old Albanians League Points 5:0
Esher saw off Old Albanians with their backs contributing all the points via Andy Wright and Ashley Smith tries plus a brace from Luke Daniels who also kicked 11 points. Stefane Libenberg’s try and 5 points from Lawrence Rayner kicks were the Old boys contributions in the first half.

Fylde 45 – 50 Worthing Raiders League Points 2:5
It was a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’ at Woodlands where Worthing Raiders outshone the home side. Fylde scored 7 tries, Worthing 8. Fylde got 3 yellow cards, Raiders 4. Fylde got 45 points and 2 bonus points and Worthing got 5. 95 points of which the home side got 45 and the Raiders 50. Oh, although each team got 5 conversions, you can make your own mind on the tackle count!

Hull Ionians 25 – 41 Richmond League Points 1:5
Hull Ionians are still struggling to come to terms with National One rugby after another defeat, at home against Richmond. With both teams looking for their 1st win, the visitors led 10 – 14 at half time. Both sides scored 5 tries each, but tellingly, the Ionians failed to convert any. Richmond full back Tom Platt kicked all 5 and added two penalties and a try to get the Londoners on their way.

Loughborough Students 43 – 50 Blackheath League Points 2:5
Another high scoring match with 93 points, 12 tries and the Students first loss in the league. The Club scored seven tries, 5 of them coming in a one sided 1st half with a 3 – 37 scoreline at the break. Loughborough came to life in the 2nd half, no thanks to Jesse Liston, Blackheath’s flanker who was given his marching orders in the 56th minute along with Ben Pon’s yellow for the Students. From that point on, Loughborough exploited that advantage to score 26 points, as Blackheath scored a solitary try through wing Geoff Griffiths second.

Rosslyn Park 41 – 15 Blaydon League Points 5:1
Rosslyn Park secured a high scoring treble for London clubs, this time at home against Blaydon. The North East team stayed competitive until half time at 9 – 5, but were never at the races in the 2nd half when Park scored 32 points against 10 from Blaydon. 21 points to full back Sam Katz plus tries for Shabbo, Staff, Gower & Shires. Bell & Bramwell replied for the visitors, with Andy Baggett bagging a handful from the boot.

Tynedale 27 – 40 Wharfedale League Points 0:4
Twenty points for fly half Tom Barrett of Wharfedale as they picked up their 2nd win of the season at Tynedale Park. It was 24 – 22 to the home side at half time, but within 5 minutes, the influential Beasleys – Grant & Gavin were both injured and replaced. From that point, the visitors came to the fore, scoring 15 points against a penalty, to secure a precious win.

Team of the Week: Blackheath & Worthing Raiders jointly for scoring 50 points each, far away from home.

Week 5 sees some tricky encounters for the top three sides Doncaster Knights, Coventry Rugby and Esher. How they get on might give some pointers to what is expected of them for the rest of the season. It doesn’t get any easier for Hull Ionians at the bottom or indeed Tynedale in 14th place.

Doncaster Knights face a Fylde side, who last week lost their unbeaten record, in what could be described as a series of defensive lapses coupled with ill-discipline. Fylde with the third worst defensive record in the league face a Doncaster side who have themselves the 2nd best defensive record. On the face of it – only one winner, but If Fylde can tighten up their game, they could give the leaders a fright. Doncaster should run out winners in a tight contest, even if the score isn’t.

Coventry Rugby face the long daunting trip to the North-East to face Blaydon. With diametrically results so far Coventry Rugby will be looking to maintain their fine start, whilst Blaydon will be looking for their first win. Coventry should continue their winning ways.

Esher face another hike this time to Wharfedale, who perhaps against the odds have won two and lost two. With Esher defending their 100% record and one of the pre-season favourites they will a difficult side for Dale to beat even on their own ground. I expect a narrow victory for the away side to maintain the pressure on Coventry and Doncaster.

Not sure whether the cricket season is over but when Worthing Raiders entertain Loughborough Students, having scored 39 tries between them it is a safe bet that it won’t be a nil nil draw. Another high scoring extravaganza is expected as both sides won’t have been able to iron out their defensive frailties yet. Both sides have shown that they can score from all over the pitch but Worthing will be looking for their first home win of the season, and should be slight favourites.

Old Albanian, whose performances have yet to match last season’s, face an unbeaten Rosslyn Park side. Park who have the meanest defence in the league, will be buoyed by last week’s bonus point win over Blaydon, whilst Old Albanians, although good in defence were outplayed by an Esher side. A close one again but Rosslyn Park should just do it.

Blackheath whose scintillating 1st half display against the Students almost came undone in the second half should be just too strong, both in their pack and finishing ability, as they face Tynedale. A difficult game for Tynedale as they don’t usually travel well and seem to have lost some of their confidence. After last week’s scare I can’t see Blackheath letting this one slip in what should be an easy victory.

Richmond, back on track after their win at Hull Ionians meet a Cinderford side whose start to the season has been disappointing. Already battle hardened with some difficult games the home side should run out comfortable victors over the Foresters.

The final game sees two of the promoted sides Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians face each other. Although Hull Ionians managed to pick up their first match point on Saturday, they have found it more difficult than Henley to adjust to the new league. With their greater experience and home advantage I expect that Henley should be too strong.