Last-Kick Despair for Cov
By AdminBTCov
April 13 2019
When I saw that we didn't have Tim Wigglesworth this week, I think I breathed an almost audible sigh of relief.
I might need to revisit that emotion.
No, I'll not publicly criticise the officiating team as it's the wrong thing to do, and to be fair, for a large part, Cov were architects of their own defeat, so I'll just leave it there.
When the home side finally woke up after about 15 minutes of play, they were already 10 points behind to a converted Nottingham try and a penalty, and things were looking decidedly shaky. However, the evergreen Sam Tuitupou popped up on 23 minutes in his final Butts appearance to dot down after a period of forwards pressure, and the Maisey top-up helped to steady nerves, and Cov were finally about to play some of their best rugby for several games.
Prop Gerard Ellis followed up with a try five minutes later, again improved by Maisey, for a deserved 14-10 lead.
Cov had the chance to add a third try on 35 minutes only for the inside pass to a galloping Pete White to be spilled with the tryline and goalposts begging.
Maisey had the last word on half-time though with a penalty which sent the home team in leading 17-10.
Within five minutes of the restart Darren Dawidiuk crossed, and with Maisey again converting the scoreline had extended to a fairly comfortable two-score lead at 24-10.
With Pete White's woes being added to with a yellow card five minutes later, Nottingham took advantage of the overlaps to take the ball into the home 22 and the forwards capitalized, driving over for 24-15, and with O'Leary again converting to cut the deficit to seven.
Back up to full strength, though, Cov reasserted their authority on the game with Ellis grabbing his second, and with Maisey accurate again, Cov once again looked almost home and dry.
But it was not to be, with Nottingham again benefitting from Cov mistakes, and another yellow, and some unusual viewpoints from the man in the middle, to concede two tries, both converted by O'Leary, and then, heartbreakingly for the home side and support, O'Leary took up position in the pocket and fired over a field goal to steal the five points.
Desperately disappointing then, but ultimately the two points garnered ensured safety for the season with Richmond failing to win at Bedford..
It would have been much more enjoyable to do it with a big five-point win though.
Final Score: Coventry 31-32 Nottingham
Official Coventry Man of the Match: Sam Tuitupou
(and who am I to argue - a tremendous performance from the Hacksaw. He'll be very sadly missed).
Scorers:
Tries: Ellis (2), Tuitupou, Dawidiuk
Penalty: Maisey
Conversions: Maisey (4)
Attendance: 2802
Pictures: Nick Meredith
Official Coventry Rugby Match Report: http://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2019/04/13/coventry-rugby-v-nottingham-rugby-match-report/
Official Coventry Rugby. Rowland's Take: http://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2019/04/13/coventry-rugby-v-nottingham-rugby-rowland-winter-post-match-reaction/
Official Coventry Rugby. Sam Tuitupou's View: http://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2019/04/13/coventry-rugby-v-nottingham-rugby-sam-tuitupou-post-match-reaction/
Official Coventry Rugby. Match Highlights: http://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/2019/04/15/coventry-rugby-v-nottingham-rugby-match-highlights/
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:04:21:17:58:57 by AdminBTCov.
However, our points against tally shows exactly where the problems lie. Having stood firm at home to be almost safe. we've fallen apart and don't look like winning another game this season.
Needs fixing.
You can now stabilise and build, and with Ryan Burrows heading your way you should be solid next season.
Good luck with your quest next season... Unfortunately you seem to be the first of what I fear will be many victims of this fantastic game that is spiralling out of control monetary wise. Something has to give as rugby cannot survive in its current predicament.
See you next season 👍🏉
Our fans, me included, perhaps got carried away with our early form. But as I have said before the second sesson after promotion can be tougher than the first.
We have a lot of good players at the club, we have had our share of injuries and teams can take time to gel, it doesnt necessarilly happen after a few games.
One thing is certain, the cash rich clubs with 2-300 fans are disproportionately affecting rugby at upper national league level. On pitch results should be married to a club's off pitch situation, fanbase, stadium, local impact, player development, school liaison and partnerships etc;
We cannot continue to allow a rich man's play thing or premiership feeder club using academy and fringe players to take club places at NL1 and above.
Without a fanbase and all the other things including potential, what are they ? Just a team playing rugby in a field of grass in the back of beyond ? The EFL need to act and require increased minimum standards for each step up.
Rugby is being ruined financially by driving thousands of fans away from the big traditional clubs, they are being denied competition and sponsorship support due to slipping down the league ladder.
Look at Cov, 9th in the league and second only to London Irish having a higher average home gate. Big traditional club, as I mentioned.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:04:14:17:32:56 by AdminBTCov.
Quote:AdminBTCov
EFL? Doubt they're very interested! 😉
I know, but please, let me have my rant :-)
I'm calm now, honest ;-)
JB, I assumed that was the case, but wasn't sure if Bedford had drawn in two men and a dog yesterday and we'd overtaken them
Prior to yesterday, Bedford's average 2,563 & Cov 2,258. Figures I stress are based upon the accuracy of Statbunker, which can be dodgy, but I guess we have to go with it.
Quote:John Butler
Cov's excellent gate yesterday was bigger than Bedford's, but not big enough to radically alter the average for the season.
Prior to yesterday, Bedford's average 2,563 & Cov 2,258. Figures I stress are based upon the accuracy of Statbunker, which can be dodgy, but I guess we have to go with it.
Official stats are issued from 'HQ' after each round and sent by email to those registered on the GKIPAC media release list. You should be able to get hold of them John, altho' frustratingly they aren't available online. The figures given for average crowds - before yesterday - were 2,499 (Blues) and 2,258 (Cov).
We know that Cov, Bedford Blues and very few others have the potential to progress into the premiership without making a mockery of it crowd wise.
Just imagine Ealing, Loughborough or Hartpury getting there, if it were allowed.
Quote:covkid53
I really must get my varifocals checked, I missed Bedford Blues average gate on statbunker completely. But again, they are one of the traditional clubs with half decent support so proving my point.
We know that Cov, Bedford Blues and very few others have the potential to progress into the premiership without making a mockery of it crowd wise.
Just imagine Ealing, Loughborough or Hartpury getting there, if it were allowed.
You might be surprised at how many supporters would come out of the woodwork once a team reaches the Premiership...
Quote:covkid53
I really must get my varifocals checked, I missed Bedford Blues average gate on statbunker completely. But again, they are one of the traditional clubs with half decent support so proving my point.
We know that Cov, Bedford Blues and very few others have the potential to progress into the premiership without making a mockery of it crowd wise.
Just imagine Ealing, Loughborough or Hartpury getting there, if it were allowed.
Where would Cov play if they were promoted?
Quote:Ben duckworthQuote:covkid53
I really must get my varifocals checked, I missed Bedford Blues average gate on statbunker completely. But again, they are one of the traditional clubs with half decent support so proving my point.
We know that Cov, Bedford Blues and very few others have the potential to progress into the premiership without making a mockery of it crowd wise.
Just imagine Ealing, Loughborough or Hartpury getting there, if it were allowed.
Where would Cov play if they were promoted?
Coventry City's new stadium?
Apologies for the delay.