By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph
November 30 2009

RUGBY director Phil Maynard paid credit to the contribution of the young newcomers in Coventry squad after their 57-12 win over Heriot’s in the second round of British & Irish Cup pool games on Friday night. Worcester Academy flanker David Askew had an excellent game in a dominant pack, while 21-year-old James Thomas enjoyed an equally impressive debut at fly-half, scoring 13 points before going off at half-time, and second Worcester Academy player, Ollie Grove had a solid last quarter at full-back as a replacement.

“David was outstanding for a young lad, he was everywhere, and I was really pleased with James,” said Maynard. “There were some very encouraging signs from him and I was impressed by the way he handled himself.

“Ollie is another lad with a lot of potential, and these players are going to be important to us over the rest of the season. We have a number of people with knocks after the first half of the Championship and being able to bring in players of this quality has been ideal.”

Cov scored two tries in the first eight minutes and, leading 38-0 at the break, were always in control against a Heriot’s side rarely seen as an attacking force in a game which showed the gulf between the Championship and Scottish Premiership.

“The Championship is a proper league - a very tough competition,” added Maynard. “These cup games give us a bit of breathing space and it was nice to have the opportunity to play the way we did and score nine tries.

“On balance it was a good performance. We wanted a good start and got it, and if I was being harsh I could only perhaps say that we were a bit poor as a team in the second half with people trying to break the opposition down in one phase instead of taking it through more.

“It was the third week running that the pack really got going forward and it’s good to see young prop Jamie Hall enjoying his rugby at this level and getting a bit better each week. Ross McMillan is also playing very well at hooker after a difficult start to his season and so is Louis McGowan in the second row.

“Bedford will be a different proposition this coming weekend, but this was good for our confidence and we can take a lot from it.”

Cov’s young guns impress in cup victory

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 30/11/2009 17:05

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
30/11/2009 17:05

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covkid53
30/11/2009 20:24

The team wearing the Cov strip did indeed impress and play well, but the "young guns" are not ours to keep.

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