By Tom Little
March 31 2009

Coundon Court 10 Bablake 25. Last night at BPA with a dominant second half performance Bablake won the Coventry FC Shield, one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world dating back to 1897. Before a noisy and enthusiastic crowd Coundon Court deservedly took a narrow first half lead as their forwards provided plenty of ball with No 8 Dan Gover always prominent.

The second half saw Bablake take control as the speed of their backs and fitness levels began to take their toll. It must be said that at times Coundon Court did not help their cause throughout the game with crucial lack of discipline, which disrupted their attacks and often put them on the back foot.

Coundon Court made the best possible start, with less than 2 mins on the clock a sweeping movement upfield led to a Lawrence Watts try in the corner for an unconverted try. It appeared that Coundon Court had started the stronger, but after 7 mins a Bablake penalty in front of the posts was converted by Ben Cooper, to bring the score to 5-3.

With both sides attempting to run the ball at was Bablake's backs who looked the more dangerous, although the Coundon Court defence held strong. Approaching halftime the Coundon Court pack put pressure on the Bablake line and No 6 Ben Watts forced his way over for another unconverted try.

A penalty to Bablake gave them field position and winger Shaquille Magee rounded off an excellent bout of interpassing by scoring in the corner. The halftime score was Coundon Court 10  Bablake 8.

Bablake made their intentions clear at the start of the second half, as a run from deep inside their own half put pressure on the Coundon Court line. On 6mins the Coundon Court line broke as a kick was charged down near the line, for No 9 Richard Miles, to gleefully touch down. Ben Cooper made an excellent conversion to leave score Coundon Court 10 Bablake 15.

With confidence high amongst the Bablake backs it was no surprise that their pace and greater incisiveness would pay off. The centres created a try for replacement winger Joe Jenkins on 15 mins, a first half replacement for suspected broken wrist victim Kurt Ibberson. Conversion was missed leaving score Coundon Court 10 Bablake 20.

Coundon Court never gave up with Gover nearly going over, but lack of discipline and excellent Bablake defence kept them out. It was no surprise that just before fulltime the impressive Shaquille Magee crossed wide out for his second try, to make the final score Coundon Court 10 Bablake 25.

An excellent advert for Coventry Schools rugby with Bablake getting a deserved victory, but Coundon Court gave their all especially in the first half.

Coundon Court   scorers: tries Ben Watts, LawrenceWatts 

Bablake  scorers: tries Richard Miles, Joe Jenkins, Shaquille Magee(2)

Conv: Ben Cooper   Pen: Ben Cooper

Coventry Schools Rugby U15 Coventry FC Shield Final

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 31/03/2009 17:02

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
31/03/2009 17:02

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Parent
31/03/2009 18:47

I think this is an excellent unbiased report from Tom Little.
I was present and also enjoyed the game and it was a hard fought win by Bablake.
I know that the lad's are honoured to have won such a prestigious trophy that carries an awful lot of history with it.
Although hard fought, and at times some naughties off the ball, it was really good to see the lads post match in the bar area chatting and laughing together.
I have to say that I genuinely feel that there's some decent young men in both sides, talent and personality wise.
Well done all.

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Sweetie
31/03/2009 18:54

Seems like rugby at Bablake is good this year, what with the 1st XV beating King Henrys, the U16 and U15 winning their cup finals. A round up of the results when all the U12-U16 cup finals have finished would be nice?

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