By Tom Little.
December 10 2012

This Saturday 15th December sees Coventry Rugby on their travels again to face Sedgley Park kick off 2.30pm at their Park Lane Whitefield ground just outside Bury, Greater Manchester.  Sedgley Park or Tigers as they are known due to their Claret and Gold stripes were founded in 1932. 

It is fair to say that Sedgley Park have had somewhat of a difficult start to the season both on and off the field. Following a record away defeat by 70-14 at Loughborough Students Forwards Coach Richard Senior has left and so has Consultant Coach Clive Griffiths following his appointment at Doncaster Knights. At the time of writing no official announcement to their successors have been made, although former Coventry player Louis McGowan is Acting Head Coach, assisted by former St.Helens RL player Ade Gardner as Backs Coach.

Last season the Tigers finished 9^th on 73 points with 14 wins and 16 losses. However this season there are currently in 14^th place, a relegation spot having only won 3 games and lost 11 and are 10 points from safety. They are on a run of 8 consecutive losses and their points conceded are the 2^nd highest in the league, and also have the 2^nd lowest number of points scored. Their three wins all at home have been over Macclesfield, Richmond and Blackheath. They did manage to hold current 2^nd place side Rosslyn Park to 20-14 away from home, but also recently suffered that record away defeat to Loughborough Students.

Players to leave pre-season included former Coventry player Henno Venter appointed as player coach to Bees, whilst experienced prop forward Danny Birchall went to Fylde.

Players in include Steve Collins a half back from Fylde who can also goal kick as well as fellow Fylde scrum half Callum McShane. Experienced lock Paul Ralph has also come in from Stockport.

Despite their poor record this season the Tigers have strong pack and have pace in the backs. They have an effective back row of Garth Daw and No 8 Juan Crous, who has caused Coventry some problems in the past.

Amongst the backs there is speed with Tom Leader and Jamie Harrison on the wings as well as brothers Riley, Andy as fullback and Matt in the centre. Another set of brothers Chris and Simon Parrott together with centre Phil Largam provide a cutting edge if the Tigers can get enough possession.

Games between Coventry Rugby and Sedgley Park can be close affairs, last season Coventry  won their away fixture  12-18, but then contrived to lose at home 14-24, so honours even. A crucial game for both sides, Tigers want to stop their disastrous run of 8 losses which has brought them dangerously into the relegation zone, whilst Coventry want to correct their poor away form and not lose three games on the trot which would be their worst run of this season.

Despite this Tigers cannot be looking forward to the visit of Coventry Rugby and as the season approaches its half way mark Coventry really need to put down a marker for the rest of the season. In addition Coventry Rugby cannot afford to take the game too lightly or allow any sort of complacency to set in, as any more losses might suck them into the danger zone.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

10^th December 2012

Coventry Rugby v Sedgley Park match preview.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 10/12/2012 12:27

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
10/12/2012 12:27

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bigm/ mark harrison.
10/12/2012 22:36

even at this stage of the season, this is a must win game for both teams.With both teams targetting this game for different reasons.

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