Coventry
Cov ponder threequarter changes ahead of trip to London
By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph
November 18 2010
COVENTRY must decide whether to tinker with a winning team ahead of this weekend’s testing trip to London Scottish.While Phil Maynard’s men are riding the crest of a three game winning streak the Exiles have not tasted defeat in any of their last eight, a run stemming back to September 18.But after securing their first victory on their travels when they went to Launceston a fortnight ago
– and having downed another of National One’s front runners last Saturday, Cov can go to the Athletic Ground in positive mood – once they have settled a few selection headaches.
They are, at least, the sort coaches claim to like with the return of three outside backs to increase Phil Maynard’s options out wide.
Reuben Haile, who scored a try on his debut, has recovered from an ankle ligament injury that has kept him out of the last three matches.
Ben Russell is back after missing two with a dead leg and long term absentee Jon Lowden, who has not featured since October 1, is also available.
Haile will challenge Jeff Gregson for a place on the wing, while Russell’s return could see Mike Walls, who is quickly becoming a utility player, put back on the bench.
However, Lowden’s situation is not so clear cut, having made just one start so far in an injury-hit season the full back could be given some game time at Hinckley before stepping back up to level three.
There is also good news about Dan Richards. The fly half was taken off after just ten minutes against The Club – also with a dead leg.
The former Broadstreet play-maker should be ready to make the trip to the capital although Elliott Read was an impressive replacement and could have done enough to retain the No. 10 shirt.
But which ever threequarter combination they go for the Blue and Whites can travel south in good heart. “We will approach it just like we did when we went to Launceston,” said coach Dave Addleton.
“We are going there for a win and to put in a big effort like last week’s. We will bring the boys back down to earth at training and make sure we are focused to go again this Saturday.”
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18/11/2010 17:15
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Why are we loaning players to Hinckley now? Having watched the Rugby Lions/Nuneaton game it is evident that any Cov players on loan there are not getting anything out of the matches apart from knocks to their confidence, and the lads at Kenilworth are in a relegation battle in Nat 3. But Hinckley are just as bad, they lost 89-10 at the weekend at home and are clear certainties for relegation. If we are going to loan to Leicestershire then we might as well pick the best side over there, Leicester Lions. They are Nat 2 promotion contenders and beat quality sides playing good rugby.
I think we should keep players as close to home as possible but I can't see how having players spread everywhere, learning different moves at different clubs that are getting heavily defeated everyweek is beneficial to Coventry RFC.If we are going to have to call on these players in the near future because of injuries then i think we should be looking after them better and getting them into competitive sides.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:11:19:12:31:10 by CovKiddo.
Why would Leicester Lions who have a good established team want our returning players disrupting their squad. Hinckley on the other hand are in dire need of help, and will take our players in the short term to help them get out of trouble.
We're the ones wanting the players to get match time and match fitness - we have to find people who want to be loaned them.
Nigel Mukarati was also MOM for Broad st on sat.
tom little
Our local clubs have 2nds, 3rds and vets and they keep themselves close to their clubs.
A "one team" club such as ours, will always have these problems, but at least we dont have a whole army of loaners playing for us this season.
And, its not just our club with these issues either.
ahem...i know a club
"Nigel Mukarati was also MOM for Broad st on sat."[i]
Nigel is playing well but he wasn't MoM, he was of course in for a shout at it but it was awarded to someone else. Have you got a source at Ivor Preece fields?
"tbf, you would expect Lowdon and Harrop to excel at that level." [/i]
Lowdon didn't make an impact for his N2 North side last year and struggled to get a regular starting place. He even trained down 'Street and considered signing for us, but obviously other opportunities arose.
"This situation stems from there not being any competitive seconds rugby available against good senior teams"[i]
Broadstreet have recognised this problem and are working on a solution, it will also benefit Coventry if it comes into fruition, but i wouldn't raise your hopes to high.
Lets hope this "seconds" thing gets off the ground, when I was younger, players would almost "kill" for a game with the Cov Extra's.
Coventry Extra First XV
Coventry Nighthawks was a team name formed when the first floodlights where installed at Coundon Road.
covmick/Michael Carter
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