Rounds Three and Four

THE thing about small (in numbers of participants) leagues and early season games, is that we often seen large swings in the apparent standing of teams.

This otherwise strange season has been no different.

After the first two rounds, with five points garnered from home and away matches, Cov were in a reasonably favourable position in the table, following on behind the expected group at the top end.

However, the result in round three, versus Ealing, saw the side drop to an uncomfortably low level, overtaken by Ampthill and Bedford, and with Nottingham, Jersey, and Richmond not too far behind.

But, a hard fought (as it turned out in the second half) win at Lady Bay saw the team briefly elevated to a heady fourth before settling at fifth following Saracens' victory the following day over Richmond. With Ealing also completing a crushing 75-19 hammering of Hartpury to maintain their 100% record, things were starting to look interesting.

Cov started so, so well against Ealing (well, that's not strictly true if you take into account the very early conceded try) to finish the first half on level pegging, and arguably a shade unlucky not to go in ahead on points. The second half, though, is a matter of disappointing record, with Ealing ramping up the tempo and pressure, and Cov's rather less experienced pack feeling the pain. It was all fairly predictable to be honest, but it was, nevertheless, heartening to witness what was probably Cov's best forty minutes in the last couple of years.

And so, the Nottingham game came and went, and was as predicted by many, a walkover for Cov. Hang on, that was the first half wasn't it? Once again it was (and I detest this cliché but it's just too tempting after two such match-ups) a game of two halves (sorry!). Cov reverted to type with a few 'what the...' type errors and very nearly let the home side in for an improbable comeback, conceding four tries, while scoring two themselves.

It wasn't comfortable viewing, and only got a bit more bearable near the end when replacement James Martin ran in a superb try from the left wing. He's making a habit of spectacular cameos, let's face it.

Easter inactivity notwithstanding, Cov now have a chance to consolidate a solid upper mid-table position as the variables begin to even out, when they take on Ampthill at the BPA this coming Sunday (2.30 ko). No easy task though, this one. Ampthill are nearly always stern opposition, so the A-Game and probably The Dog need to be in evidence.

Looking forward to it.

Pics: Nick Meredith