By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph.
October 23 2012

LIGHTNING didn’t strike twice for Coventry as, after edging in front in the fifth-minute of added time, they then conceded an equalising penalty on the final whistle to settle for a draw.

It was, in truth, no less than a robust Richmond side deserved on the overall balance of play, and although Cov will be kicking themselves over the way the game finished, they played too much of it in their own half to have any real complaint.

The plusses were Cov’s outstanding defence which, as at Tynedale a week earlier, kept them in the game when they were struggling for any possession of their own, and the quality of the two tries they did score which underlined the capabilities they have in the backs with the welcome return of Luke Myring.

But there wasn’t enough of it, and in tight situations like this any error can be costly.

Cov only had two good scoring chances in the second half, either of which would have killed off the game, but both times they knocked on in the Richmond 22, and having gone back in front right at the death and secured the restart ball, they then went off their feet at a ruck to let the visitors back in.

Richmond made the early running as Cov appeared taken aback by their abrasive approach, but Louis Grimoldby mishit a penalty chance and the home side drew first blood in superb style after 14 minutes, keeping the ball through eight or nine phases to create the space for Heath Stevens to finish off in the left corner.

Cliffie Hodgson added the touchline conversion, but Richmond were quickly level when hooker Jason Phipps went over from a line-out and Grimoldby converted.

Cov came more into the game as the half progressed and Hodgson restored the lead with his fourth drop goal of the season after 34 minutes, from all of 40 metres, before they went further ahead with another outstanding try as the clock ticked into injury-time.

Securing a line-out on the left of the field, they stretched Richmond’s cover and Myring – hopefully set for an extended run after a year of injuries – looped round to release right wing Tom Harris, who again showed his quality as a finisher by chasing down his own chip ahead to score with Hodgson converting for 17-7.

Cov’s defence was put squarely to the test in a scoreless third quarter as Richmond ramped up the pressure and they survived ten minutes with skipper Scott Morgan in the sin bin.

Click here for more on this article.

Cov have to settle for a share in thriller against Richmond.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 23/10/2012 18:50

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
23/10/2012 18:50

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