Phil Maynard takes pride in Coventry battlers

PHIL Maynard applauded the effort of his team and the club’s supporters and the collective will that took Coventry to the brink of an astonishing victory. Beleaguered Cov came back from 15-0 at the Ricoh Arena on Friday night to have something to show for what was a tortuous week. Just 48 hours before it kicked off it was not clear whether their game with Bedford would even go ahead after

owner Andrew Green tried to close the club down.

But Cov managed to rally off the pitch and showed similar resolution on it to score three second-half tries, two from Aaron Carpenter and one from Jamie Hall, to salvage a 15-15 draw.

And Maynard could not have been more proud: “That kind of performance is an indication of what the team is thinking,” the rugby director said.

“It was a gutsy performance, no-one is thinking of dipping out – there was no shortage of effort from on to 22 and all the coaching staff.

“You could hear the volume the crowd made in the second half. The lads were saying how much it lifted them. If we continue that and get that kind of support who knows?”

But Cov will still be docked 15 points for going into administration and that almost certainly condemns them to the end-of-season relegation play-offs.

The two points gleaned on Friday have to be seen in that context.

“It’s one step forward and three back,” Maynard admitted.

“But the point has to be made just because they dock us points doesn’t mean we are a bad side.

“I’d have fancied finishing in the top eight as we were because I think we would have got stronger as this young team comes together.

“That’s the fourth time on the trot we have annihilated a pack, the forwards have been going well.

“It was a funny atmosphere before the start of the game.

“There were some words I have not used for a very long time – like pride.

“If we are in the bottom four, so be it. It’s another league to win isn’t it?”