By Kimbo
March 15 2020
WELCOME Back, Newcastle.
Yesterday's fine win at Doncaster won't hurt the feelgood factor of Cov's fans going into next Saturday's big game against Newcastle Falcons, ending an away drought in similar fashion to the corresponding game last season – even improving on it slightly with a 5-0 result.
Those of us old enough (or at least Cov supporters for long enough) to remember the time Newcastle Falcons came to town at the dawn (ish) of open professionalism in the game, will probably hold the day in their memory banks for the rest of their lives.
Remember the Hotline? Ever use it? 'Just Especially for You'
Personally, it brings with it some fond memories.
Tickets for the game were on sale for a couple of weeks prior to the day, as it was plainly obvious that this was going to be a sell-out. We (daughter No.1) and I both had season tickets, so that wasn't an issue, but as my brother-in-law and nephew had decided to grace Coundon Road with their Welshness, it was down to me to do the business. So, sneaking out from my eyrie in the GEC Block at Browns Lane, I called into John Butler's 'office' (more a shed at the Moseley end of the ground to be honest) to reserve a couple of places, and fit in a pint in the Coundon while I was at it (well, it'd be rude not to, eh?).
Greatest Scrummager Ever (IMO)
Come the day, the Coundon was full to bursting point, so the usual pre-match ritual had to be shelved, but fortunately the club had made alternative arrangements and a marquee was set up in the school playing field, and a convenient fence section removed from the ground's perimeter.
Wonder how many sneaked in that way without cash changing hands eh?
Anyway, drinks duly imbibed, we made our way into the ground so as to take up our normal place at the left-hand end of the Cowshed, in front of the Tea Bar.
Or not.
That Early Narrow Home Loss to Wakey Had Already Hurt Cov
The joint was absolutely heaving, and the best we could do was get to the front at the scoreboard corner. Still, at least Lucie could see. It's sometimes useful to have a small one with you when trying to get a good view. I couldn't get away with that now, what with her being 5ft 10. We'd very quickly be told to sling our collective hooks!
The Sir John Hall-backed Falcons side were already strongly-fancied to win promotion to the top league, replete as they were with a squad of internationals drafted in by his recently-installed Director of Rugby Rob Andrew.
Of course, Andrew was still plying his trade on the field at that point, and, practicing his place-kicking from the touchline in front of us, and aiming – successfully - at the nearside goalpost, things looked fairly ominous even before kick-off.
However, as the match progressed, and the visitors failed to breach the Cov line (Andrew was the sole scorer with five penalties and a drop goal), with Cov keeping in touch at 6-9 with a couple of Jez Harris penalties at the quarter-game mark, belief grew, and a Wayne Kilford try just before the half-hour mark lifted the crowd, and with it the team.
With half-time showing a scoreline of 11-9 hanging on the nails, the stage was properly set for a monumental second stanza.
And we were not going to be disappointed.
In some ways, Newcastle were architects of their own fate, with John Bentley's impetuous swing at Andy Smallwood resulting in a red card being produced from Nick Cousins' pocket, although a yellow for Lee Crofts shortly after his introduction, following an Andy Blackmore injury, helped even things out for a while – bodies-wise at least.
That yellow immediately resulted in a further Andrew penalty, and was topped-up shortly afterwards with another leaving the Blue 'n' Whites trailing at 11-15
Lesser sides might have folded at that point, but Cov simply ramped it up, with Andy McAdam going close, before Smallwood went over with an unconverted try to retake the lead.
Pic: Coventry Evening Telegraph
And then, the worst happened with just minutes to go, and Andrew dinked over a drop goal to put the visitors back in front. Talk about gutting.
But, you know what they say about the Cov Dog? That's right – he wasn't going to lie down this time, as yet again the hero of the moment, and the game, Jez Harris popped up again to slot another three points from the hand in stoppage time to make the final score 19-18.
What a match, and what a crowd.
7,000?, 8,000?, 9,000? I doubt it'll ever come out for sure, but it's certain in my mind that the crowd was the extra man that day, willing those tries and goals over the line for a victory that remains a bright spot in my 50+ years of following this club.
Pic: Coventry Evening Telegraph
What's certain is that Lucie and I travelled home very happy that night, chilled to the bone by the weather, but warmed in the knowledge that something special had just happened – and hot-dogs and a roaring bonfire at the school's Guy Fawkes party just up the road when we got home helped a bit too!
Can it happen again next Saturday? We all know the depth and width of the gulf that has been engineered into the game between the top two levels in the intervening period. Cov are very much a second-tier side with aspirations, while Newcastle are a Premiership club with all the assets and funding that their exalted status brings. They may be on a sabbatical with the lesser 'community' game for the moment, but nobody is fooled these days. They are going back to the top table for very good reasons.
Will we ever see their like again (following Saracens' inevitable cruise back to where they see themselves belonging next year)? I strongly doubt it – but sincerely hope so.
Or else, whither rugby?
Cheers all.
Steve
Footnote 1: As I write, we may or may not see our visitors next week for obvious reasons. Let's hope we do, as the club needs days like these. Times are hard enough for the Championship as it is.
Keep praying/hoping everybody.
Footnote 2: This may well be my final 'column' on the unoffy. As I hand the reins back to Russ, hopefully he'll get a fortnight now to find fresh content to enable the site's forum to remain open. Please, if anyone has content that can be used to aid this endeavour, pass it on to Russ.
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