By Epigone.
May 1 2011

A 14 try extravaganza, including 9 from Coventry, saw the BPA faithful go home eagerly awaiting for the next season. A scintillating final 50 minutes of attacking rugby from Coventry saw them score 8 tries with only 1 conceded, leaving a tiring and shell shocked Tynedale to face the long trek home. As we know from this season supporting Coventry is never dull, often nerve wracking but always exciting, and so it was on Saturday as Coventry defensive frailties were exposed again in the first 30 mins having to coming from 4 tries and 24 points behind.

The defence was tightened up, ball kept in hand, and straight running occurred  with Jon Lowdon  and Jack Green , allowing 6 tries to be scored by impressive wingers tries by Jeff Gregson (4) and Tommy Harris(2).

On a baking hot day with a hard dusty pitch it was a game ready for running rugby and so it was. Coventry made a bright  start  but some missed tackles allowed Dale winger Charlie Ingall to dash over on 3mins converted by Matt Outson.

Tynedale almost had a try from the restart as poor tackling again allowed them through but were called back for a Coventry knock on. Coventry took advantage of this let off with a Lowdon penalty on 7 mins. Score Coventry 3  Tynedale 7.

Coventry continued to attack through Lowdon and Gregson with Tommy Harris held up on the line.

A poor clearance kick was run back through some more non existent tackling for wing Alan Rogers to score. A poor Coventry scrum on  22mins saw a Dale  counterattack allowing  fullback  Sepp Visser to score, another missed conversion made score Coventry 3 Tynedale 17.

It was now Coventry’s turn for a counterattack with Lowdon prominent, who on 25mins fed Gregson whose pass led to Jack Green  scoring his maiden try. An excellent conversion by Lowdon saw score back to Coventry 10 Tynedale 17.

Yet 3 mins later Tynedale increased their lead as scrum half  Alex Fieldhouse found a gaping gap round the fringes allowing him a 40 m break before feeding centre Jack Harrison for the bonus point  try. Outson converted making it Coventry 10 Tynedale 24.

This spurred Cov to action as they showed brilliance in attack. On 33mins another Lowdon break fed Gregson who went over for the first of his record equalling 4 tries. Lowdon converted making it Coventry 17 Tynedale 24.

Coventry were running at speed and will at Dale and on 37mins a Southern break fed Daynes, the ball was recycled through Southern again who fed Harris for a try.  Score now Coventry 22 Tynedale 24.

Dale fought back approaching halftime but dogged defence kept them out.

At the start of the 2^nd half Tynedale were penalised 3 times in succession and this allowed Coventry exert more pressure. On 46min a Ben Russell break saw Tom Warren on the wing, after a 40m dash including an outrageous dummy, Warren scored under the posts for the bonus point try, and another Lowdon conversion made it Coventry 29 Tynedale 24.

 Almost immediately on 47mins a Pearson 40m break fed Harris for his 2^nd try. Score Coventry 34 Tynedale 24.

Yet Dale fought back and on 49m after a poor Coventry scrum the ball was recycled for Peter Cole to surge over.  Coventry 34 Tynedale 29. That was as good as it got for Dale as they tired and were unable to match Coventry’ speed and commitment.

Coventry continued to surge forward with Harris almost over, but they were not to be denied as on 54min Green went over for his 2^nd try with Lowdon converting. Score Coventry 41 Tynedale 29.

Coventry were denied further tries as passes were adjudged forward, but on 68 min a piece of brilliance saw a try for Gregson, as the ball was switched through Herrigton to Lowdon.  Coventry  46  Tynedale 29.

More brilliance was evident as on 72mins Harris break fed Herrington, onto Lowdon and Veebel, for Gregson to get his hat trick score in the corner. Coventry 51 Tynedale 29.

On 74mins Lowdon was yellow carded for killing the ball, not that anyone noticed that Cov were one man short. A Coventry scrum saw Gregson fed the ball on the wing 50m out for him to score an excellent individual record equalling 4^th try under the posts. Gregson missed the attempted drop goal conversion making final score Coventry 56 Tynedale 29.

A much deserved and exciting victory for Coventry, proving if they can sort out their defensive frailties they can be a match in attack for anyone in this league.

There has been no lack of commitment and desire this season and if the bulk of the squad is able to be kept together then a top 4 position next season is not out of the question.

Coventry Rugby 56 Tynedale 29 A spectators view.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 01/05/2011 17:38

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
01/05/2011 17:38

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hipflask
03/05/2011 10:54

good report,have noted that Gregsons missed attempted drop goal conversion was down to the fact that he had started his run up to the place kick, when the ball fell over, he did look at the ref but was told to carry on ( the ref got that right ! ), hence the rushed drop goal attempt, great effort none the less

woods, it's in the hipflask! (Steve Emms)
' COME ON COV '

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runout
03/05/2011 12:43

It was Jon Lowdon's conversion that rolled off the tee with the wind and the ball drifted wide of the posts when he drop kicked it. Jeff bounced the ball off the post, when he attempted a drop kick conversion after his 4th try.

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