Nott This Time...
By AdminBTCov
December 23 2018
...but close. Cov, looking for that still elusive first away win, showed a bucketful of grit and determination in the Lady Bay rain and mud,
but ultimately came up just short of shaking that monkey from their collective backs.
With Will Maisey taking the visitors into a 6-0 lead with two well-judged penalties, Cov just missed extending the lead when Rob Knox's longer-range effort sailed wide.
Cov's overall performance was certainly improved over previous away efforts, with chances to take the win, including appeals for a penalty try being turned down, even though a home player saw yellow when a rapidly advancing Cov maul was unceremoniously brought down.
Nottingham responded well to Cov's early lead though, weighing in with a couple of tries, one converted, and a penalty of their own, to give them a respectable cushion at 15-6.
So often this season, this sort of bodyblow has taken the wind out of Cov sails, and the mountain has been insurmountable, but not this time. Maisey, again stepped up to slot not one, not two, but three penalties to bring the away side level.
However, as time ticked by, that was not to be, and Mr Wigglesworth blew with both sides having earned a couple of points each.
Honours even then, but I suspect Cov will be happier with their share than much-fancied fourth-placed Nottingham, who almost certainly would have anticipated a four or five point haul.
Final Score: Nottingham Rugby 15-15 Coventry Rugby
Coventry Scorer: Maisey (Five penalties)
Yellow Card: Stokes
Weather: Well, it's Christmas, so let's say warm, dry and sunny eh?
Crowd: 1515
Pictures: Nick Meredith
Coventry Official Match Report: HERE
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:12:28:13:15:31 by AdminBTCov.
Quote:Absolutely.HoboAl
It wasn't pretty but kept it tight and a dogged performance. Sometimes that's just what you have to do
I got the idea at 15 all that both teams were determined not to lose, and that that triggered the tennis match. Given the conditions it was amazing hat neither side knocked a high ball forwards.
Quote:Moosemagic
For me Cov played well enough to win, a draw though gives us a moral victory. Still feel we need a bit more guile when camped on the opposition try line.
I’d have to disagree with you there Phil, I thought a draw was probably a fair result, both teams cancelled each other out a couple of times, but I never felt that Cov would score a try IMO, Notts defensive was very good once set. But I did feel like if Notts gave away a penalty in there own half then Cov would get 3 points because of your kicker (who is very good). In order for Cov to win games like that they have to score some points when the opposition is down to 14 men, I noticed when you played them in the cup they went down to a sin bin and you didn’t score any points in that period, and the same happened today. In order to win games that this level, you have to capitalise on it.
HOWEVER, why were we in that position given the amount of ball and field positions we had in the first half? We had already spent a fruitless 80 mins here a couple of weeks ago trying to roll Notts over the line with very limited success and it seemed we were trying to do the same again. I know it was wet and stick it up the jumper seemed the order of the day, but Notts faced the same conditions yet their backs found ways to be pacy and slick and threatening - we were just rather blunt and one dimensional in attack, and I know we can be better than that. So satisfied with a draw, but frustrated we didn't get that elusive first away win.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:12:24:11:34:10 by Duckham walked on water.
A draw was probably a fair result at the end of the day. Heck, even the ref drew with himself, seemingly favouring Cov for the first 20 minutes, Notts for the next 40 and then Cov for the final 20. We all love the man in black.
What a great atmosphere there was in the big marquee with lots of Santa hats, crimbo jumpers and some rather large hirsute"ladies " strutting on the dance floor. A great day out. Oh, and by the way, how good were the bar staff in that marquee? Top notch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:12:24:00:54:32 by titchywinger.
Quote:Ben duckworthQuote:Moosemagic
For me Cov played well enough to win, a draw though gives us a moral victory. Still feel we need a bit more guile when camped on the opposition try line.
I’d have to disagree with you there Phil, I thought a draw was probably a fair result, both teams cancelled each other out a couple of times, but I never felt that Cov would score a try IMO, Notts defensive was very good once set. But I did feel like if Notts gave away a penalty in there own half then Cov would get 3 points because of your kicker (who is very good). In order for Cov to win games like that they have to score some points when the opposition is down to 14 men, I noticed when you played them in the cup they went down to a sin bin and you didn’t score any points in that period, and the same happened today. In order to win games that this level, you have to capitalise on it.
Fair comments Ben. Have a great Xmas.