By Tom Little.
September 26 2013

A scintillating display of running rugby gave the Nighthawks a resounding victory over a plucky Nuneaton side who were unable to cope with the pace and finishing of the home backs.

In total 14 tries were scored plus 12 conversions with no less than 8 tries coming from the wingers on show.

The Nighthawks starting line-up was as selected with Harry Smith taking up the prop position from the bench. Fly-half Matt jones ran the show in the first half linking up well with his centres  Luke Myring showing his guile and creativity and Callum MacBurnie whose distribution was first class. Coupled with the sharpness of Greg Evans at full-back Coventry Nighthawks were determined to feed what must have been some of the fastest wingers seen at BPA with Ian Clark and Alex Smit.

Six tries were scored by half-time with a sparkling display of attacking rugby through Smit (2), MacBurnie, Evans, Gere Maree and Louis Silver with Matt Jones kicking 5 conversions giving them a lead by 40-3.

The second half saw Ian Clark off injured with guest sprinter Karl Ledington from Coventry Welsh replacing him and how he lived up to his sprinting reputation within 5 minutes after a loose ball was picked up their own 22m and Karl ran fully 60m to score which included beating players on the outside, before that Smit had got this hat-trick score after good work by Tom Harris with Jones 6^th conversion of the evening.

There followed a raft of changes with wholesale changes in the backs and James Tyas coming in at No 8. This temporarily disrupted the Nighthawks flow but the final quarter saw them run in a further 6 tries as the youngsters ran riot. Replacement winger Lewis Smith ran in 3 tries, with further ones by Tyas, centre Rob Knox and an unknown replacement.

In total 14 tries with Matt Jones getting 6 conversions and Jack Howland getting the other 6. All in all a good workout showing the ability and pace of the Coventry squad and giving the selectors some selection headaches.

Coventry Nighthawks 94 Nuneaton RFC 3 by Tom Little.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 26/09/2013 12:34

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
26/09/2013 12:34

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Bono546
26/09/2013 16:04

And we were 3-0 down

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rustyroof
26/09/2013 16:23

when one side is the best part of 100 points better, it's such an obvious mismatch that the gushing plaudits seem a little OTT.

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r hess
26/09/2013 17:43

Great result, but I repeat my question - will this style of game keep the 25 players not selected for the first team interested? All the backs selected have played championship rugby!

Better opposition vital.

Usual apology for banging on, but this is important!

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OldNick
26/09/2013 23:45

I'll repeat the answer one final time, then you can bang on to your heart's content.

The current operating model is not one where the players are sitting around one club, either getting picked or doing nothing.

It us one where within tight regulations about numbers, relative levels, national qualifications, they are effectively attached to two clubs simultaneously.

It works upwards and downwards. We have players from a Premiership clubs, we have players at Broad Street. When there's a need for cover, they get pulled back in. Either way.

It means there are players who have trained as part of the squad, know the players, know the drills, but are match fit through being out at other clubs.

When they're needed, there's no need to go out scouting, to deal with agents, to arrange player release with clubs who hadn't expected their star to leave. It's a phone call and an email, come along Thursday, play Saturday with a player that's already a well known quantity.

It hadn't always been this way, it isn't in all parts of the country, it may not be again in the near future if RFU plans to regioNalise National One are forced through, but for now it's the environment the club's operating in.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:09:27:11:59:49 by OldNick.

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r hess
27/09/2013 09:33

Good answer, but the squad is far too big.

Your model could work with a 25 player core - not 40+

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Just Rugby
27/09/2013 11:45

25 is not enough to cover all positions. it's currently working as we have a winning squad with back up. Players like Will Maisey got game time away and then stepped in.

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OldNick
27/09/2013 11:58

25 barely covers a match day requirement.
15 players
5 replacements
1 spare forward
1 spare back
22
The last two in case of injuries during warm up before the team sheet is submitted.

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Roger Fox
27/09/2013 15:29

Wouldn't it be great if we could have the Extras again? But I guess not in this new age.

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cuddles
27/09/2013 18:46

I think we will start to see if a bigger squad works or not in the next few weeks as changes in the forwards are being made to give players game time.
4 of last weeks starting 8 have been changed. We must be careful to maintain the right balance and promote the players that have put in the hard work. Pre-season etc

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r hess
27/09/2013 21:03

Its not in the near future that this policy will come unstuck. All 40+ players will have some form of contract with Cov.

Its at the end of the season when the disenchanted leave and the usual merry go round ensues.

This is not a way to build a medium term success.

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