By AdminBTCov
February 17 2020
IN THE TEETH of the latest storm of this rather damp winter, the home 'comeback' theme continued - albeit in a far less dramatic fashion than of late.
Cov took the first turn at facing their sixteen opponents (Leeds plus Dennis) and were quickly on the back foot chasing a long kick through which appeared to be running to touch-in-goal, but actually resulted in a rather fortuitous scrummage on the five-metre with the feed to the visitors. A penalty ensued, and Leeds opted to take the easy three points.
And this was as good as it got for them - even with Dennis's considerable influence to call on.
From there on it was all Cov, although tries were at a premium in the first period to the exasperation of the near-2000 crowd, with pass after pass being spilled when it looked certain that the line would be breached.
Indeed, both of Cov's first-half tries, from Cov's centres Fenner and Forsyth, were generously aided by Leeds' largesse, and the half-time scoreline of 17-3 actually somewhat flattered the hosts, and maybe kept the visitors' hopes up.
However, given the benefit of the elements in the second period, together with a vastly improved overall performance - for whatever reasons - the tries soon began to flow at the Butts Road end, and home jitters, such as they were, quickly settled.
The Blue & Whites (yes, Blue & White for a change) turned the screw on the rapidly seemingly overwhelmed basement side, to run in six tries, with Kessell (2), White (2), Oram and Owen all going over. Jennings added to his season's totals with five conversions and an early penalty, while Lewis finished off the day's proceedings with a conversion.
In a week when the bloated and uncaring 'governing' body of the sport conspired to tear the heart out of English rugby's second tier with its crass, cowardly, infamous email, this was just the tonic the Coventry Rugby side, its management, sponsors and fans needed to lift some of the gloom. Or was it just Jon Sharp's half-time Winston Churchill impression that we have to thank? Who knows?
The next few weeks are going to be very interesting indeed, but wouldn't it be good for us all - and all eleven Championship sides - to be able to just concentrate on the game instead of the ridiculous politics?
Pics: Nick Meredith
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