By Tom Little
January 18 2009

Coventry duly went through to the 5th round of the EDF trophy after a hard fought victory at a dry and sunny Clifton Road. Coventry elected to face the sun and a 10 point gale in the first half. With both sides, especially Cov attempting to run the ball at all opportunities, the only real surprise that it took 30 mins for the first score to appear. The game started at break net speed, with

first McGlone and then Winter almost getting over in the 1st 10 mins.

Having not played for 3 weeks Cov were looking somewhat rusty with unforced errors and penalties putting them under unnecessary pressure. Rotherham weathered the storm and an excellent 30m break by Feeley almost led to a try. Barlow and Mike Whitehead missed 2 penalty kicks, but on 30 mins Barlow finally put over a 38m goal.

Cov fought straight back and a turnover by Chris Whitehead led to a forceful break by Winter, the ball was recycled across the field for Dorrian to squeeze in at the corner, to make the score Rotherham 3 Coventry 5 ,after 35mins. The home side came straight back, with Whitehouse giving a penalty away in front of the posts, and perhaps luckily not receiving a yellow card. The 25m penalty was kicked by Barlow to make the halftime score Rotherham 6 Coventry 5.

The 2nd half saw Clayton on for Miller, with Cov now having the strong wind behind them. Yet it was Rotherham who started the stronger. After just 2 min Tom Allen scored in corner following excellent passing from the home side, making the score Rotherham 11 Coventry 5.

Yet Cov were not to be denied. Not for the first time the Rotherham scrum began to creak and quick ball almost let Dorrian and then Harrell in. The pressure finally told on 13 min with Sanders scooting over, after some woeful home tackling. Dorrian converted making the score Rotherham 11 Coventry 12.

Toft now replaced Winter, for his first game in 8 months,the Cov pack kept up the pressure allowing Dorrian to dash though a gap for a 30m try. Dorrian converted to make score Rotherham 11 Coventry 19, approaching the final quarter.

On 26 min Coventry emphasised their dominance with Hurrell using his strength to force his way over from 20m. Once again Dorrian converted to make score Rotherham 11 Coventry 26.

Yet credit to Rotherham, they did not give up and on 29mins following an excellent chip and catch try by Mike Whitehead, the home side made it Rotherham 16 Coventry 26.

Cov managed to hold out for the final 15 mins for a well deserved victory.
With 3 strikes against the head and great work both in the loose and scrum my collective MOM was the Cov front row of Dugard, Whitehead, Brits, Whitehall and Pearl.