By John Butler, Coventry Telegraph.
November 12 2012

COVENTRY produced a mystifying and ultimately disappointing performance at Molesey Road as the unpredictable nature of their form this season took another turn.Mystifying, because at the end of the first quarter things looked so good.

A sharp, positive opening promised a great deal for Cov, even though the potential power of the Esher forwards had surfaced from an early stage .

But from a deserved 7 -0 lead, all of a sudden something changed and Coventry were never the same side again.

With referee Hall dishing out yellow cards with increasing regularity, three to Esher and two in the second half to the Blue and Whites, the match at times became quite disjointed.

Thankfully, from a Coventry perspective their defence, the best in the division before this game, again stood up well in a testing examination, but that apart there was not a great deal else for the faithful travelling support to get excited about.

Indeed, the longer the game went on, the greater the pressure became from the Esher forwards, with Coventry struggling in both the scrum and line-out.

Consequently, chances were limited but even when they came, unforced errors – notably forward passes – frustrated attempts to gain territory. Significantly though, when down to 13 men for a period in the second half, the depleted pack did a lot better.

Coventry put the first points on the board. After the normally reliable Cliffie Hodgson was just marginally short with an attempted penalty from 40 metres – the fly-half went on to miss a second attempt later – a break and run of sheer class from Luke Myring helped set up what proved to be Cov’s only try.

Brett Daynes was up to support Myring’s break and he fed Greg Sammons, the hooker crossing for his maiden club try, converted by Hodgson.

Looking good from a Coventry perspective but then how the pattern of the game changed. Even though a yellow card meant they were a man short, Esher began to build pressure in all phases, three penalties from full-back Kirby punishing Cov indiscretions.

In between, back row forward McFarlane crashed over for a try as pressure built. In fairness to the Midlanders it should be said referee Hall missed what appeared to be a clear knock-on in the build up, but by now Esher momentum was building.

Click here for more on this article.

Esher 27 Coventry 10

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 12/11/2012 19:33

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
12/11/2012 19:33

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

hess
12/11/2012 19:58

Obvious question:

Are the players fit enough? Yet another second half collapse?

Reply Quote Report

rustyroof
12/11/2012 21:47

second-half collapse ? They were 16-7 down at the break with Esher dominating, by the sound of it, after Cov's early lead.

Reply Quote Report

zinzanh
12/11/2012 23:13

Roll on Saturday.

Reply Quote Report

bigm/ mark harrison.
13/11/2012 08:07

im sorry it has to be said , we are all conceantrating on how the defence is functioning. Instead there should be more attention to the lack of points being scored.....fourth lowest in the division...you justcant rely on the boot of cliffie

Reply Quote Report

Bono546
13/11/2012 14:43

I agree and "Cliffie" has not been his perfect self in the last couple of games. I for one have become complacent expecting Cliffie to do the business every time he steps up to the tee, its his fault for being so good no brilliant.
I hope the team exact revenge on the opposition on Saturday and score the tries they have been threatening over the past few weeks.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net