Match Report: Coventry Nighthawks 21 Warwickshire 17.

Coventry Nighthawks came from behind in a full blooded encounter with Warwickshire to record a hard earned victory. The Nighthawks included Jamie Harrop as hooker and Mike Walls as flyhalf, as well as Jon Lowdon as outside centre.

On a very firm pitch it was a scrappy 1^st half, with veteran Pete Glackin running the game for Warwickshire. The visitors went ahead after just 5 mins as quick ball was recycled for Kenilworth centre Mike Rust to go over. On 20 mins Luke Beales and Jamie Tyers were lucky not to be sent off after a bout of fisticuffs.

Coventry’s impressive winger Luke Veebals then had an exciting run closely followed by a Nick Southern break.

Warwickshire cemented their dominance on 29 mins as the impressive Hartpury College No 9 Grant Hancox fed Mike Rust for his 2^nd try. The 10- nil score remained until halftime with the Nighthawks unable to get a foothold and continuity in their play.

The 2^nd half started with the county attacking but good defence kept them out. It was a scoreless 3^rd quarter but Walls had reverted to No 9, with newcomer Tom Cowell a 22 year old hooker from Willenhall replacing Harrop.

The Nighthawks pack started to get on top with Cowell getting 2 scrums against the head, who was also prominent in the loose. Southern was also getting past the game line from scrums and lineouts and the Nighthawks were on the front foot.

On 60mins Veebals picked up a loose pass spilled by Warks and sprinted 40m to the posts, Jon Lowdon converted, score Nighthawks 7 Warwickshire 10. 

The home backs were looking more dangerous and another good move involving Veebals who fed Matt Fielder to score in the corner, Lowdon converted from wide out, score Nighthawks 14 Warks 10. 

On 74m with the Coventry scrum going forwards Southern broke to surge 20m over for an individual try, Lowdon again converted putting the Nighthawks out of sight leading 21-10.

Yet all credit to Warks as they kept fighting and from a 5m lineout Nigel Mukarati fed a replacement forward for a try, Foster converted making final score Coventry Nighthawks 21 Warwickshire 17.

A much better 2^nd half from Coventry. Overall Luke Veebals was probably the most dangerous Cov player, and as the game went on Southern became more prominent and there was a good debut by hooker Tom Cowell.

For Warwickshire the experience of Pete Glackin shone through in the 1^st half, and Nigel Mukarati as No 8 was always a strong runner. Try scorer Mike Rust was a handful as was Coventry prop Jon Pateman who had an interesting contest with team mate Luke Beales.

Coventry Rugby press office