Coventry Nighthawks 3 Northampton Development Squad 57

Last night, saw a brave Coventry Nighthawks side succumb to a strong and experienced Northampton side, which contained Bruce Reihana, Andy Long, Mark Easter, Greg Tonks and Matt Cornwell. On a heavy gluepot of a BPA pitch Northampton ran in 9 tries, which must have pleased the full complement of the Northampton senior coaching team in attendance. Northampton were too big and strong in the pack, and were able to release their pacy backs.

Yet Coventry never gave up, especially in the pack and try saving tackles by Haile, Gregson and Freemantle kept the score down. The few chances Coventry had were stalled on the well organised Northampton side.

An early try by Mark Easter, after a good Northampton scrum saw Coventry hold out until a rather harsh yellow card (in the context of the game), to Adam Parkins on 23mins, led to the game being over as a contest as Northampton took full advantage with 2 tries in 5 mins to Greg Tonks, and the impressive Scott Armstrong, both converted by Joe Ford, saw the lead expand to Coventry 0 Northampton 19.

Following good work by Freemantle and Lowdon some Coventry pressure saw Danny Richards kick a penalty on 34mins.

Just on halftime the experienced Andy Long was driven over making h/t score Coventry 3 Northampton 24.

Another Armstrong try on 44 min followed as he collected a chip ahead, and on 51mins following another 5m scrum Sam Farmer went over for Joe Ford to convert both, score Coventry Nighthawks 3 Northampton 38.

Although Coventry were seeing more ball they found it difficult to break down the Northampton defence, and the last 16 mins saw 3 further tries to Easter, Stewart Cummins and Reihana, 2 converted by Glenn Hughes, making final score Coventry Nighthawks 3  Northampton Development 57.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office