Murder at The Rectory

Hyperbole? Probably. Like the title of an Agatha Christie novel? Certainly.  Because for any Coventry Rugby supporter at the game yesterday, it was murder to bear witness to it.  It was like a slow motion car accident, you knew it was coming but you were unable to prevent it happening. The first 20 or so minutes were like a dream, to my eyes anyway.  Three good tries, for Morgan Strong, Ewen Baker and a David Opoku-Fordjour special, the winger benefitting from superb work from Strong and Tom Ball to create the long-range run-in. Two conversions from Tommy Mathews.  It looked so good.  The wheels then came off. 

Errors started to creep in, passes that had stuck previously, were misplaced, Chinnor found their mojo , tackled and grew in confidence.  19-0, became 19-14 by the interval. Seemingly the visitors lost their confidence. Cov were crying out for an experienced , older head to get everyone together and play as we know they can. 
Sadly, it wasn't to be.  Chinnor scored at regular intervals during the second half, the home pack pressed home their advantage, helped by two yellow cards for Tiki and Matt Johnson. 
A host of late changes brought a bit of spirit.   Tom Miles at 9 looks a handful, Suva Maa'si's late try, converted by Josh Thomas for a try bonus point was mere consolation for a very dispiriting afternoon.   A long stoppage in play for the prone Jordon Poole after a clash looked serious.  It was good to see the hooker walk off the pitch, but he probably will be stood down for a while to undergo the protocols. 
I have to say, it might have been grim on the pitch but off the field, not so.  It's a very pleasant place to visit, always a hospitable ground with an announcer who knows how to raise the home support.  Would that we could learn from that. 
It's going to be a challenging week for the coaching and playing staff after such a setback.   But, what are challenges anyway?  They need to be overcome and they  don't come any bigger than a visit from Ealing Trailfinders to the BPA next Saturday. 

It's times like this when you know that our support will be vital.