Leeds Face Coventry Challenge
Easy win... or not?
By Richard Payne
October 17 2008
Regardless of the result in this match it is a triumph to have Coventry in National One this year. Following the trials and tribulations off the pitch before this season Coventry have taken their place in the league and so far they are in 12th position with 3 wins to their name.
Following last week’s 34 – 22 loss against Doncaster a frustrated Coventry team are ready to make the trip up to Headingley Carnegie for a match against table toppers Leeds. Coventry were outmuscled in the scrums, gave away countless penalties and missed tackles in the game against Donny and if they repeat the same thing this weekend they will be punished even more. Neil Back and Andy Key have instilled a ruthlessness that was sadly lacking in the Leeds team and any weaknesses in the opposition will be set upon from the outset.
Although Leeds have been impressive in attack for the last few games the thing that has really impressed has been their defence, apart from a blip at the end of last weeks demolition of struggling Sedgley Park (currently 1 place behind Coventry) Leeds had not conceded a point over 240 minutes of rugby.
The last time we played Coventry we defeated them 34-0 at Headingley and 55-11 at the Butts Park Arena, and such is the confidence of the team and the fans we expect another victory of similar magnitude.
Last week our outing against Sedgley Park took place in “glorious sunshine” and Leeds, although not at their most clinical, scored 8 tries and won comfortably. The rotation system currently employed by the Back and Key mean that we are not 100% sure what team will line up this weekend but it could be possible that Jason Strange will make his competitive debut for Leeds, Lee Blackett may make his return from injury however our new signing, ex-Leinster prop Juan Gomez will probably not be in action as he is not match fit. It is also highly likely that Henry Paul will get more game time before earning a start against one the title contenders.
Spirits are high and I am looking forward to every game, I am however more excited by what this team can achieve!
Coventry Team:
Backs:
Ben Russell, Ronald McLean-Dents, George Dixon, Donavon Sanders, Oliver Winter, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones.Forwards:
Laurence Sanderson, Christopher Whitehead, Robert Dugard, Carl Burgess, Michael Walton, James Miller, Darren Claytn, Laurence McGlone (Captain)Replacements:
Stewart Pearl, Paul Ensor, Gregory Thomas, Benjamin Pons, Michael Walls, Thomas Hayes, Sam Montague
This weekends fixtures:
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Bedford v Sedgley Park, 15:00
Doncaster v Cornish Pirates, 14:30
London Welsh v Esher, 15:00
Manchester v Rotherham Titans, 15:00
Otley v Exeter, 15:00
Plymouth Albion v Moseley, 15:00
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Nottingham v Newbury, 15:00
Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
and fear walk hand in hand
I think you must have been reading my crib sheet because I agree totally with all your views, including the reference to Lancashire sunshine!
Our team is now announced, (with a few suprises,) but these days, the squad is so good and inter-changable that the selection hardy really matters.
No matter who is on, a five pointer is assured!
For the moment that is. With Donny, Bedford & Pirates in November, then Plymouth, Nottingham & Exeter in December, things will become somewhat more difficult.
However, with the confidence, fitness and competitiveness being displayed now by all the guys, I am very confident of continuing success for us.
Up the Carnegies!
I echo the point that the best feature of this fixture is that Cov are here at all!
We (Headingley) played them each Easter and usually got gubbed.
PT
I don't give a fig about Cov the club but they've got some wonderful supporters.
I hope they have a good day whatever.
Hallo CovMick!!
We've got some wonderful supporters! ( even if they grumble & chunter now and again)
Some say he has a Tykes flag with team signatures on.
Others say that he's doing the same to the Carnegie flag,
All we know is that he's called Leeds carnegie signed flag.