Coventry 16 Albion 11

With a strong wind behind them Albion kicked off the match under an overcast sky. Some players were missing with both players that had swapped sides during the summer being unavailable.  Ben Gulliver was there but on crutches and it will still be a while before he is available. Stuart Friswell  is on a two match suspension after an incident against Pirates but was there on water duty.

Albion were without Keni Fisilau also on suspension and Colin Stewart, Francisco Deformes and Wihan Neethling due to injuries. With Mike Lewis also injured it gave a second chance to Bryn Jenkins to come onto the bench.

Ed Lewsey was rewarded with his third try of the season in his 10th consecutive appearance at scrum half and kicking duties under difficult conditions went to Regardt van Eyk. One attempt was kicked back by the posts that were swaying backwards and forwards in the wind.

Albion were in control of the match from the start and took the first half scoring 11 points to nil. The referee's whistle was well used which tended to dominate the game. When Tom Arscott took a long pass on the right wing and went over in the corner play was called back for a forward pass.

The first half also saw two yellow cards one to Coventry for pulling down at the lineout and one against Danny Thomas for an infringement at the rack/maul in injury time.

The second half went very much Covs way with them having the advantage of the wind which they used that to their advantage and scored 3 penalties and a converted try.  The home supporters also helped with far more noise after Cov scored their first penalty.

When Coventry finally went into the lead they slowed down and changed from catch rugby back to defensive and Albion went on the attack. Making attacks on the Cov line before the ball was kicked up field and into touch in the Albion 22. Looking at my watch that could have been the end of the match but the ref decided that their was time for one more play. 

With Albion having to attack from their own 22 and without the opportunity of kicking for touch the ball had to stay in the hand. Time was not on their side but it seemed that the ref was, as he awarded Albion 4 or 5 penalties for not rolling away, not 10 etc. But time was really against Albion since as soon as Coventry got the ball, probably 8 minutes since they had had possession, they kicked it high and backwards for a safe touch and were very happy to finally hear the final whistle.

The second half had seen three yellows with 2 going to Coventry and one to Chris Lowrie.

This match should have gone to the visitors but Coventry decided that they were going to run hard in the second half and from that performance deserved the points.

On the coach on the way back the mood was low.  The video on the screen was the Life of Brian and the punch line "always look on the bright side of life"! Albion move into 4th place ahead of Cornish Pirates on points difference, Doncaster only managed a draw against London Welsh drop to 3rd and Rotherham move top at least until Leeds play on Sunday.

We are only two thirds of the way through the season with ten more matches to go before the champions are named.

Team: Nat Saumi, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Arran Cruickshanks, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Dan Smith, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Nigel Cane, David Delaney, Sila Va'Enuku(used), Tim Mathias, James Owen, Brett Stroud(used), Bryn Jenkins

Scorers :- Tries Ed Lewsey Penalties 2x Regardt van Eyk

Sin Bin Chris Lowrie, Danny Thomas

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