M1 coach drama delays Coventry kick-off

COVENTRY’S National League One game against Otley kicked off over an hour late after the visitors were involved in a motorway crash on their way down from Yorkshire.The coach carrying the Otley players careered into the central reservation of the M1 when the driver blacked out at the wheel and only prompt action by coach and former hooker Mark Luffman prevented a more serious incident.

Luffman was able to guide the out-of-control vehicle on to the hard shoulder and apply the emergency brake without any injuries to anyone on board or damage to other vehicles.

The driver, who regained consciousness, was taken to hospital and the team waited for a replacement coach and driver, eventually arriving at the Butts Park Arena 25 minutes after the scheduled kick-off.

Cov went on to win the game, which eventually started at 4.15pm, 18-10 after trailing from midway through the first half until the end of the third quarter.

“Fair play to Otley for carrying on and playing the game,” said Cov’s forwards coach Dave Addleton. “We didn’t play well, but they made us work hard for everything.

“The delay could have distracted us and affected our performance, but they had to cope with a terrible trip and we can’t use it as an excuse.”

On-loan Northampton scrum-half Ryan Glynn came off the bench to make his first appearance for Cov.

The 19-year-old, who played for England Under-18s while at Sale Sharks before joining Saints in the summer, was a late addition to the match squad in place of injured Mike Walls.