By Epigone
March 6 2011

The 10 minute preroration, over the tannoy, before the game, a mixture of Neil Kinnock and Chairman Mao, set the scene. Within 5 mins of the start a phalanx of Defensive Coaches, were seen fleeing the scene to the surrounding circle of hills, muttering the mantra “why don’t they listen”.

A loose, exciting, a ebbing and flowing sort of a game saw both sides scores 6 tries a piece. A bitterly cold sweeping wind saw  Coventry only kicking 1 goal out of 8, whilst dale were slightly better at 3 out of 8, which in the end was the difference between both sides.

This week it was Coventry’s turn to get the bonus point by halftime, with clinical finishing from their only 4 clear cut chances. The 2^nd half saw Coventry with more possession but at times had no answer to the rampaging runs of Graham, Vaioleti and Solomi in the Dale pack, which gave Wharfedale 4 second half tries.

Coventry fought back with 2 more tries as they went for the draw or win, but despite plenty of pressure just failed. An exciting game for the neutral , but a head holding one for mainly the Cov supporters, as Cov threw away a golden opportunity to get clear of  14^th spot.

Yet in the end 2 away points might prove crucial but puts the pressure back on Coventry to win the next 2 games against Launceston and Stourbridge.

For the record Heath Stevens scored on 3 mins, after a series of Cov phases involving Gregson, Herrington and Green. 3 mins later Dale equalised after pack pressure led to a try for capt Rob Baldwin.

Another 3mins later on 9 mins Coventry were back in lead after a Herrington charge down led to Dale Ager scoring in the corner. Score Wharfedale 5 Coventry 10.

The Dale pack came straight back and on 16mins Dan Solomi went over for tom Barrett to convert putting Dale in lead 12-10. 

Coventry fought back with slick handling on 28mins as the ball was moved through the centres to Herrington, to Daynes and allowing Tommy Harris to score in corner. Dale 12 Coventry 15.

A Barrett penalty on 34 mins made scores equal, but 2 mins later Coventry got their BP try after good handling by Audis and Southern led the Harris scoring again in corner making it Dale 15 Coventry 20.

Approaching halftime slick movement in the Dale backs led to impressive centre Chris Malherbe going over making halftime score Wharfedale 20 Coventry 20.

Coventry had the wind in the 2^nd half, and despite almost constant pressure were unable to score including a head on penalty missed. It was Dale who went ahead in the 56min with their BP try, and 2 mins later Coventry had a hill to climb as Barrett finished off another Vaioleti break, as he converted his won try to make it Wharfedale 32 Coventry 20.

Matt Tibbatts was now on for Daynes, and after a series of pick up and drives Tibbatts went over for a try on 61mins, Audis converted making it Dale 32 Coventry 27.

Another dale try came on 67mins after a break by busy prop Steven Graham, making score Dale 37 Coventry 27.

It was now all Coventry as they tried to resurrect the game. A series of goal line scares came to nought but on 79mins Herrington scored after Parkins had a try disallowed, making it Wharfedale 37 Coventry 32.

Coventry went looking for a win but despite another 5mins play Dale held out.  In the end Coventry must rue the chances that went begging but not just from the goalkicking, but in the end it was defensive frailties that cost them the game.

My MOM was the ever improving Adam Parkins whose workrate and tackling around the park was impressive.

Wharfedale 37 Coventry Rugby 32, a spectators view.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 06/03/2011 13:56

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
06/03/2011 13:56

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