Coventry 13 Ealing Trailfinders 37 by John Wilkinson

COVENTRY stumbled out of the starting blocks as National League One favourites Ealing underlined the extent of the task ahead if they are to mount a realistic challenge.

With ten new faces from last season, there were clearly a few cases of first-day nerves in front of an expectant Butts Park Arena crowd as Cov struggled to match the cohesion of an Ealing side containing a dozen of the starting XV from when the two met in London in April.

And as Ealing showed that they now have the makings of a pack to fully complement their free-scoring backs, Cov had no platform from the scrum where they were under pressure from the off.

First-half injuries to prop Bronson Ross, who aggravated a pre-season calf problem which contributed to Ealing’s first ten points from scrum situations, and influential centre Luke Myring, who lasted to half-time before giving way to a shoulder injury which had put his participation in doubt up to the kick-off, did nothing to help the cause. But with the possession they did have, Cov generally lacked the cutting edge or guile to penetrate a well-organised defence with wingers Ben Toft and James Whybrow seeing little of the ball in attacking positions.

Brett Daynes and Matt Tibbatts gave their usual tireless performances in the back row, while Greg Evans worked hard at centre and replacement scrum-half Lewis Barker injected some late pace into Cov’s attack.

But, all in all, it was certainly not the start Cov would have wished for and has left them with plenty to work on before Saturday’s visit to Cinderford – a ground where they have failed to score a point in the last two seasons.

Cliffie Hodgson missed a long-range penalty attempt for Cov after two minutes of patient building which promised much, but when Cov’s scrum went down at the first set piece Tom Wheatcroft kicked Ealing in front and the centre then converted when a succession of penalties and close-in scrums led to a pushover try touched down by Sam Shires.

Cov posted a swift reply, Rob Dugard forcing his way over and Hodgson converting after Ealing made a mess of a 22 drop-out, but Cov immediately put themselves back under pressure by failing to secure the restart and another scrum saw Peter Hodgkinson cross on the left for the second away try.

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