WHAT a superb way for Coventry’s young guns to complete a season of discovery which had begun eight months earlier with a 25-point defeat at Tynedale.
It hasn’t been a comfortable ride along the way for a new-look squad which was being assembled right up to the opening day, and the first half-hour of Saturday’s finale on a rock-hard Butts Park Arena surface reflected all the negatives of the season as the visitors raced into a 24-10 lead.
But all this was forgotten over the next 50 minutes as Cov – as they had done so many times before –regrouped, tightened up in key areas, and proceeded to put the opposition to the sword with an outstanding display of attacking rugby.
It was a great afternoon for the backs, particularly wingers Jeff Gregson and Tom Harris who accounted for six of the nine home tries, and it was more than enough to whet the appetite for next season when Cov will start from a much sounder base and with these players all the better equipped after, for most, a first season at National League One level.
“We didn’t start off too well,” conceded rugby director Phil Maynard, “but in the second half we put some great rugby together.
“We just needed to get some technical aspects of our game together. When we did, we defended better and every time we strung three or four phases together, they went missing and we created space to run at.
“Tynedale were quite physical and I think they felt they had the game won after half an hour, but one we woke up they couldn’t hold us.
“It’s been like this across the season, but these lads have learnt along the way and showed tremendous character. We’re entertainers!“
Cov went behind after just three minutes, winger Charlie Ingall finishing off a move launched deep in Tynedale’s own half by No.8 Sam Shires, with Matt Outson adding the conversion, and they should have conceded again with a minute when the visitors squandered a two-on-one.
The first Cov attack ended in a successful 30-metre penalty from Jon Lowdon before Gregson was held up in the left corner, but the home defence was again nowhere to be seen as Tynedale struck twice in three minutes through winger Alan Rogers and full-back Sep Visser, both tries unconverted.
Cov responded with a maiden try for centre Jack Green, converted from wide out on the right by Lowdon, but three minutes later scrum-half Alex Fieldhouse broke into clear space to send in centre Jack Harrison between the posts and secure Tynedale’s bonus point, Outson converting for a 24-10 lead.
But the recovery began when a jinking break by Lowdon put Gregson over by the posts for a converted try, two minutes later Harris ran in from the 22 to complete the first-half scoring, and Cov continued their charge into the second period to go in front when prop Tom Warren popped up on the left flank and, flat-footing the cover as he dummied an inside pass to Ben Russell, charged over from 30 metres, Lowdon converting.
Harris grabbed his second try two minutes later from a Seb Pearson break for a ten-point lead which was immediately reduced by replacement fly-half Peter Cole, who scored Tynedale’s fifth try within two minutes of entering the fray.
But it was all Cov after that as they ran a tiring Tynedale ragged with some outstanding rugby. Green’s second try, converted by Lowdon, was followed by Gregson’s second, sprinting down the right touchline from halfway before stepping inside the last defender.
Number three for the right wing followed from 45 metres as Cov moved the ball at pace from inside their own half, and five minutes later Gregson duly made it four on an unstoppable run from his own 22 when Cov turned over a Tynedale attack – his own drop-kick conversion bouncing back off the right upright.
Tynedale: Visser; Ingall, J Harrison (Peck 31), Smales, Rogers; Outson (Cole 48), Fieldhouse; Williams (Ions 72), Ridley, A Harrison (Jupp h-t, A Harrison 66), Boyle, Dunn (Graham 66), Cousin, Beasley, Shires.
Referee: A Jackson (RFU).
Coventry 56 Tynedale 29
Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 02/05/2011 18:59
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