Coventry got out of jail, admits Umaga

By John Wilkinson - CET
September 26 2006

Head coach Mike Umaga conceded that Coventry were fortunate to come out of their National Division One derby against Moseley with a 15-14 win.

Two tries in the space of six second-half minutes from winger Aaron Takarangi, on his first appearance at the Butts Park Arena for Cov, turned the game the home side's way, but Moseley full-back Ollie Thomas missed two late penalty chances to win it for the visitors who had led 7-3 at half-time.

 

"I make no bones about it, we got out of jail," said Umaga.

 

"But if we play like that for 70 minutes and come away with four points, we have got to take it as a plus.

 

"We didn't want our season to stall and all I asked for was four points, and we achieved that if not in the manner I would have liked."

 

Cov were second best for a lot of the opening period after Moseley had gone in front in the third minute.

 

"I can't repeat what I said at half-time," said Umaga.

 

"Everything we talked about doing at the set peices during the week we didn't really do, and the turnover count I had was 15 to five against us.

 

"If you want to dominate a game you are not going to do it like that.

 

"But I do know we have got another gear, and we still haven't fully gelled together.

 

"It shows how difficult the whole league is going to be, and I did think we were looking quite tired.

 

"With our pre-season we've had seven hard games now, and I've got to work out how to manage the players and their bodies over a long season."