By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph
February 4 2011

THE end result is the only thing that will count for Coventry in tomorrow’s home game against Rosslyn Park – and it has to be a win.Cov have played some of their best rugby of the National League One season in the past two weeks against top four sides Cambridge and Macclesfield, only to come away with nothing to show for it after conceding late scores.

But far from dampening spirits within the camp, rugby director Phil Maynard insists it has only increased his fledgling squad’s desire to succeed.

“It’s not getting the lads down, in fact they are really up for it at the minute,” said Maynard. “We need a win this week, however it is achieved – nothing else matters and it is all we are focusing on.

“It’s the start of a run of three home games for us, but nobody is looking beyond Saturday and getting the victory.”

Cov had chances to go in front late on in both of the last two games, and felt particularly hard done by at Macclesfield on Sunday – even more so after watching a DVD of the game.

“We have to tighten up in a few areas, but I don’t think we can play a lot better than we did in these two games,” said Maynard.

“We’ve played some great rugby, but we’ve had some poor refereeing and certainly haven’t been getting the rub of the green.

“We were over the line four times on Sunday and the DVD clearly shows that two were definite tries but they weren’t given and we should have had a penalty try at the end. The referee said their player was tackling our man but he wasn’t, he just knocked the ball into touch as we were about to score. It was ridiculous.

“But we have to deal with it and get on with preparing for this game. The results have got to come if we continue to play as well as this and put the effort in – but it has to be sooner rather than later.”

Rosslyn Park are currently sixth in the table, six points above Cov, and include ex-Scotland fly-half Ross Laidlaw among a number of experienced players. Chris Lewis, who was at Cov last season, plays at centre.

Added Maynard: “We know that Chris will be a handful and Rosslyn Park are another team that is winning games, but their record over the season shows that they are eminently beatable.”

Cov will select late with increased options this week. Hooker Matt Price has recovered from an ankle injury, while on-loan scrum-half Ryan Glynn is back from Northampton after an LV=Cup outing last week and centre Nat McDonald will have a late fitness test.

Skipper Nick Southern is also back in the reckoning after becoming a father for the first time last weekend. “He’s declared himself available to get away from the noise,” said Maynard.

Kick-off is 3pm.

Result all that matters as Coventry take on Rosslyn Park

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 04/02/2011 18:27

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
04/02/2011 18:27

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Nige H
06/02/2011 12:12

Oppps! :-(

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