By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph.
September 30 2013

High-flying Coventry continued their excellent start with a fourth straight win and a third four-try bonus point in front of the biggest crowd at the Butts Park Arena for a couple of seasons.

But, not for the first time, they did it the hard way with a strong-running Henley side enjoying more possession and second rows Scott Morgan and Tom Poole both spending time in the sin bin.

In the end, it was Cov’s defensive qualities and their ability to take their chances which proved decisive, but – ignoring the fact that they were on the wrong end of some very strange refereeing decisions – it was another performance which hinted at some hard work still to do.

On the plus side, Cov’s backs continue to impress when given a glimpse of the line. And if the side can win games in this manner while, by their own admission, still playing some way below maximum capability, there is plenty to look forward to.

James Otutaha was outstanding at the heart of Cov’s defence, while Poole put in a tireless display all over the field along with hooker Chris Locke who, with Mark Kohler and Tim Ryan, celebrated a maiden league try for the side.

But Cov will need to secure, and retain, more possession in harder games to come if they are to maintain a realistic challenge, and discipline – they conceded 13 penalties on Saturday, however dubious some appeared to be, and are averaging a yellow card per game – has to be looked at.

Henley made the early running, but Cov’s first meaningful attack after ten minutes saw Locke go over from a line-out maul with Cliffie Hodgson adding the conversion.

The visitors continued on the front foot, but although an accumulation of offside decisions against Cov’s forwards ended in a yellow card for Morgan after 18 minutes, Cov forced a turnover when Henley passed up the kick at goal to go for a scrum and cleared upfield.

Cov were still a man down when they doubled their lead on 29 minutes, Kohler claiming a 40-metre interception try when Henley moved the ball wide from a line-out near halfway which, ironically, everyone in the stadium bar the touch judge felt should have been Cov’s throw-in.

Hodgson again converted, but Henley posted an immediate response and broke the length of the field for an unconverted try finished off by Luke Carter and they had the final say of the half with a James Comben penalty.

Cov came back out in determined mood, no doubt after a few sharp words, and Hodgson kicked two penalties in the first five minutes to stretch their advantage to 20-8.

But Poole saw yellow for another perceived offside defence in his own 22, Henley again electing to scrum and this time eventually awarded a penalty try which Comben converted to make it a one-score game.

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Coventry 32 Henley Hawks 15 by John Wilkinson.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 30/09/2013 17:31

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
30/09/2013 17:31

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