Phil Maynard praises Cov kids as they continue Nat One march
By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph. November 1 2011
PHIL Maynard has hailed his Cov Kids for withstanding Rosslyn Park’s ferocious second-half comeback and closing out their seventh win in ten games.
The Blue and Whites fielded a back-line with an average age of just 20 years and ten months after injuries claimed the experienced heads of Ben Russell and Luke Myring in the build up.
That left 23-year-old Jeff Gregson, in just his second season at level three, as the oldest player in a threequarters as Cov faced opponents full of professional know-how.
That didn’t stop them bursting out of the blocks and building a 23-0 lead before the Londoners responded with a second-period onslaught.
However, even without Russell, Myring and No. 8 Jamie Miller – three of the men who have captained them in recent matches – Cov held on to win 30-29 and move within two points of second place.
And Maynard is full of praise for his young side, especially the centre partnership of Nat McDonald and Heath Stevens, aged 21 and 18 respectively, and 21-year-old rookie full back Mark O’Connor.
“Saturday was a real test of our squad,” the rugby director said. “And the young boys who came in did really well. Ben Russell has been an important player for us this season because he talks and organises the back three and Luke Myring has done the same in the centres.
“So for those young lads to hang in there without them says a lot for their strength of character in a game we would probably have lost last season.”
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