By Keith Perry, Coventry Telegraph
September 25 2009

PHIL Maynard will not allow his men to admire Cornish Pirates’ pretty patterns as he takes his team to Camborne with the intention of inflicting a first defeat on the men from The Duchy. The Coventry rugby director is not convinced by this weekend’s hosts’ unbeaten start to the season and has told his side to do all they can to disrupt the Pirates’ play. Cov will target the breakdown and look to retain possession for long periods with the aim of frustrating a potent attacking side that has already won at Meadow Lane in Nottingham, Castle Park in Doncaster and thrashed Moseley at home.

During that run, they have scored more than 100 points, 38 of which were bagged in a half-hour when Moseley went south-west a fortnight ago.

But Maynard insists Cov are ready to deal with that threat.

“It is the same with Cornish Pirates every year - they start well. Every team they have played had not won at the time,” he said.

“Nottingham haven’t won their first game in six years, Doncaster haven’t won at all and Moseley had just had 50 points put through them the week before.

“It is a difficult place to go and play and they are on a high but, like any team in this league, if you give them time and space they will flourish.

"The challenge will be to contest the areas we know we can, the tackle area and defence. We know they like to get the ball wide, so the best way to prevent that is to keep the ball.”

That process will be helped by continuity. Maynard has made just two changes to the side that faced Exeter last week, one through injury, the other through the progress of tighthead Jamie Hall.

The youngster replaces Rob Dugard in the front row while a knee injury to No 8 Aaron Carpenter brings Henno Venter into the pack.

“Jamie’s worked hard and deserves his chance,” Maynard said. “The scrum improved dramatically when he came on last week so we’re hoping for more of the same.”

Carpenter will be fit for the Midlands derby visit of Moseley next Friday as will wing Drew Lock.

COVENTRY: Russell, Plantey, McKenzie, Lewis C, Lewis J; Apikotoa, Jones; Maddocks, Merrigan, Hall, Dechartres, Herrington, Venter, Bignell, Miller. Replacements: Roberts, Dugard, McMillan, McGowan, Pons, Hurrell, Walls

Cov urged to be on the ball against high-flying Pirates

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 25/09/2009 17:42

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
25/09/2009 17:42

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CAPTAIN BENBOW
26/09/2009 16:43

CovMick is staying with me, and he says the Pirates will win hands down, and Maynard doesn't know what he's talking about.

(Mick won't see this post until he gets home on Monday, by which time I'll be safely out of earshot)

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1spy
29/09/2009 15:39

Part of Maynards plan worked out.His players slowed the game up including taking two minutes to tie a boot lace.They had possession for long periods of the game.The referee had a bad day and allowed the game to be played in a way that was frustrating for the "paying" fans to watch.At the end of the day Maynard spoiling game plan failed.Coventry lost!.Coventry did in my opinion deserved a bonus point.In future the players should ignore Maynard tactics and play the game as they are a very capable side who should win games this season.

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