An incomplete review of the Coventry 7s

Friday marked another instalment of the Sevens series at the new-ish home in the Midlands for Wasps, you could almost be forgiven to think that looking at the teams playing tonight that this was being hosted in the home counties, however times have changed. 

But before we talk about the match, since I haven’t been to Coventry before, let alone the Ricoh - I ended up going by Rail, I was hoping against almost certainty that the new area rail station would be open in time, however I was stuck on the bus network as Wasps hadn’t confirmed if the shuttle was running.

I found it to be such a patchwork of a place, part barbican centre, part historic-walled city - all being constricted together by a ring road.  Of course, after remembering the WW2 bombings levelled most of the area, it makes sense how it came to be.  So after the double bus ride of ever increasing circles, we arrived at the Stadium and its contentious birth after the sale of Highfield Road, CCFC’s spiritual home.  The area for me almost feels like an exact likeness of Stadium:MK with a bit of mini Twickenham concourse around the ground level; food was decent so all-round a good venue.

Talking of contentious; some have been commenting about the Wasps squad having 6-8 senior players when traditionally you would have maybe just one.  I remember us having Ashton play a few years ago but not in this scale and it was drawing some ire from those who hold strong beliefs as to who your bring to this quicksilver game. However, no rules about the age or experience of players for this exist so let’s just move on!

Progressing would be a tough ask for Saracens after Nils pulled out late on and having to do back to back games however, that’s enough of the prelude:-

Game 1 – Wasps Vs Quins

So first game and first time to see if Wasps would bring to bear the fire power that they had in their arsenal.  It didn’t take long for Wade to provide the first try by a wonderful snake-like run through the midfield.  Even more impressive is the fact that Wasps were a man down due to delay of game after a penalty in the first minute –Wasps game plan “just give it to Wade”, going well!  Quins scored next, ironically showing the reason why Wade is still a doubt at international level by being shrugged of a tackle near the touchline and allowing a try at the corner.  Luke White scored for Quins again before the half with a lovely cross kick and although a close match at half time you suspected that Wasps would overpower Quins as they seems to be a group of individuals, rather than a team and that’s what they did in the second half running in another 3 tries to finish them off.
Full time: Wasps 40 – 14 Quins

Game 2- Saracens Vs Saints

So to our first game, and though the first game may have been a little bit boring from a neutral’s point of view this was a good contest and really started the evening.  First two tries went to Sarries despite some rather ropey kick offs, first scored by Whitley after pinching a saints lineout and Morris shortly afterwards.  However Saintsman, Tom Mitchell, started his good work this evening by getting one back for saints after consistent pressure and a sharp little offload to Emery to go over the line and then Hutchinson scored a brace either side of bongo cam, sorry, I mean half time despite Earle’s best efforts.
After that a lot of scrappy play and knock-ons started to wind the clock down due to a more and more desperate Saracens side losing their way and Saints were able to add one just to rub some salt in.  There was even a though-the-legs pass by Olver, “perhaps that was for the semi –final?” I chuckled to myself.  Time was all gone and Saints got a deserved victory through a very tight team performance.
Full time: Saracens 12 – 31 Saints

Game 3 Saracens Vs Quins

So with the first game gone by the wayside this became a must win if we were to salvage anything with the evening not reaching half way.  Kick off provided the first note of the match where both sets of players absolutely threw themselves at the ball.  The result ended up with play going on whilst one of the quins was getting checked out by the physio and Sarries made that misfortune pay by Whitley going over for the first try.  Saracens continued the scoring through Kevin Barrett, but were also busy the other end in defence; after a nice line break by Quins, we were able to make a last ditch tackle into touch to save a try.  Earle was on the end of a third try after Sarries went to the left and right looking for an elusive hole, Sarries led 19 - zip at the half.
After the break Sarries just couldn’t claim restarts which led to two quick tries by Quins, thankfully Saracens managed to get one back through a wonderful midfield line break which Tirrell finished off before Quins got the last say in the match to salvage a bonus point.

Full time: Saracens 24 – Quins 17

Game 4 Wasps Vs Saints

Wasps had an extra rest time and showed their class in an absolute dismantling of the Saints squad.  Out of the 4 tries that were scored Wade had a hand in most of them, first of which was a neat 1-2 along the touchline, the third being another snaking run though the midfield.  Wade almost scored a 5^th try for the Wasp tally before half time but couldn’t take a pass provided by a mazy run from Elliot Daly.  This was far in a way a better team performance and much more enjoyable to watch for the neutral.  Just for note, Lozowski, one of Wasps senior fly-halves, was taking their conversions very well *ahem*.
After the half, the 28 unanswered points were added to by Basset and then Lozowski himself after a chip, chase and gather to go under the posts.  Saints finally got on the board with Alex Moon after a lot of hard work going side-line to side-line but it was all in vain, Wasps finished off the scoring and the demolition with Thomas Young finishing of a well-worked move.

Full time: Wasps 47 – Saints 5

Alas before I could see if Saints, the other team being forced to go back to back could recover from this, the bus timetable for the #4 conspired and meant I had to leave early to get my train so I could drive even further afield.  As I passed the pristine mini train station and let out another ‘Gah’ at it, I found out, after some waiting for the bus, that there was a shuttle service running, so I could have stayed longer - My apologies.

Final thoughts on the evening:  Nathan Earle does seem to be much more built but as also seems to have lost a bit of a step. Hope Saracens literally [‘metaphorically’, Shirley, or do you know something about their peccadilloes that I do not?!, Ed] tie Nathan to Chris during training sessions to really learn how to read a game, and he could be a superstar.  Mr Hankin had more and more of a presence in the games, making some lovely hits.  Whiteley also has a very fast pair of heals, making sure that Nick Tompkins wasn’t on the sheet, he did get a bit over confident at some times. It was also good to see Max Wilkins playing as I think we will be a super academy player for us in the next few years, and might even help replace Hodgson.