Maynard’s worry after hooker’s fit
By Coventry Telegraph
September 29 2009
PHIL Maynard has revealed his fears for front rower Ross McMillan after the hooker had a seizure during Coventry’s Championship match with Cornish Pirates. The Cov rugby director was on the sidelines at Camborne when the 22-year-old started fitting following a bang on the head following a tackle. After several minutes of treatment, the former Gloucester man was taken by ambulance to hospital
in Truro before being released a few hours later.
But for the intervening period Maynard and the rest of the Cov staff had genuine concern for his health as they put up a brave display against the unbeaten Pirates.
What did not help was the fact it was all so eerily familiar.
“It seemed like that terrible experience we had on the bus with Ben Pons all over again,” Maynard said in reference to last season when Ben Pons suffered an allergic reaction after a match in Esher.
“Ross was frothing at the mouth, it was very distressing.
“He was taken to hospital and, thankfully, we were able to pick him up and bring him home.”
McMillan will be out for at least three weeks, as will the player he replaced, Henno Venter, who also picked up a head injury just two minutes into the 20-14 reverse.
Cov had already lost scrum half Nathan Jones, who tore an abductor muscle in Saturday’s team run. Then, lock Benjamin Deschartres fell victim to food poisoning and Richie Bignell sustained a suspected fractured wrist in the warm-up.
Against that backdrop Maynard praised his men’s efforts as they came close to the unlikeliest of victories.
“What the boys produced was special. I was genuinely proud of the way the boys responded,” he said.
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Well done lads and see those of you fit on the field on Friday.
