Coventry RFC 38 Blaydon RFC 0

The common belief before kick off – a Coventry win was absolutely essential to bring an end to a disappointing run of three defeats. How the team delivered!

Not only the win but the manner they took Blaydon apart the longer the match progressed and probably above all else, a true team performance.

It certainly brought smiles back on faces, both on the pitch and off – a kick-start to a season which had slipped badly in the preceding weeks.

Yet, with Blaydon enjoying the elements behind them in the first half, it did look for a time as if it was not going to be anything but tough. Blaydon pounded away without ever seriously troubling a solid wall of Cov defence, at least four attempts at the visitors’ famed rolling maul being repelled.

Having held and tackled all the Northerners could throw at them, while sealing a nine-point lead through the boot of Matt Jones, Cov then really did turn on the style in the second half, four well-worked tries securing a much-needed bonus.

After so many recent disappointments, much indeed to commend. The forwards were immense, giving Blaydon all manner of problems in the set scrums, while also in the main securing line out ball. Jacques Le Roux produced by far his best performance in a long time, back row partners Sam Pailor and George Oliver being not too far behind.

Cov almost always seem a much better side when Wayne Evans and Jones are on song at half back and here again how it showed.

Behind, Uruguayan World Cup full back Gaston Mieres enjoyed a very encouraging debut, running in a debut try, while having a significant hand in another.

Click here for more on this article.