Phil Maynard aims to keep Coventry side together.

By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph
May 3 2011

PHIL Maynard has set his sights on retaining as many of his current Coventry squad as possible after the Blue and Whites finished their campaign on a high.Saturday’s rampant 56-29 victory over Tynedale was the Butts Park outfit’s 12th and arguably best of the campaign as things stand they are set for a credible top-half finish.

Stourbridge and Blaydon, who each have one game remaining, could deprive them of that but what any of Cov’s National One rivals cannot dissipate is the feeling that after years of decline genuine progress has been made this season.

With a newly-built and locally sourced team Coventry have more than held their own in the sport’s third tier and have entertained in the process.

They finish as one of the highest points scorers in the division and broke the 100-try mark several weeks ago.

But as happy as he is about that attacking verve Maynard is more pleased with his squad’s mental fortitude – a characteristic he hopes to be able to draw on next term.

“We have talked to most of the players in the last few days and hopefully we will retain the core of the squad because we have got something here.

“What we have learned most about the boys in the last nine months is that they are a game bunch. There has never been a time when we have been out as well as down.

“As a group they have got that attitude where they can put mistakes behind them and get on with the next task – that’s going to serve us well.

“You can’t buy that kind of character and bottle, these lads have shown they are prepared to scrap for every single point.

“For me one of the highlights of the season was down at Rosslyn Park where we were getting a beating but we turned them over in a scrum on their line in the last minute and came away with a bonus point.

“Yes there are technical issues but we can work on all of those things, what you can’t develop is bravery and we’ve already got it.”Maynard has already made progress in keeping some of his leading performers with back rowers Brett Daynes and player of the year Alex Nash signed up for next season.

Ben Russell has also agreed to stay but captain Nick Southern has opted to return to Bournville and Seb Pearson has attracted the attention of Rotherham.

“Nick has been very useful to us this year, especially when he went into second row for us.

“But he has got a young family and runs his own business and going to Tynedale one week and Cornwall the next does not serve those interests well. No one can criticise him for looking after that.”Maynard confirmed there will be players arriving too. “There will be comings and goings but there’s always the old conundrum of getting quality on a limited budget -it’s very difficult but we will do everything we can.

“The one thing we have got to note from this season is that one team is going to go down on 62 points - that’s a terrifying competition to play in and with the clubs that’s coming up it’s going to be even more difficult.”

Fylde and Ealing have been promoted from level four with one other place still up for grabs.

Phil Maynard aims to keep Coventry side together.

Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)

Date: 03/05/2011 17:08

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