Coventry 29 - Newbury 24 + Adoption League


By John Wilkinson - Coventry Telegraph
November 7 2006

Not surprisingly, but quite justifiably, smiling faces returned to the Butts Park Arena after the completion of a most compelling and exciting clash with Newbury on Saturday.ADOPTION LEAGUE STANDINGS 7/11/06 HERE.

True, the error count had again been too high, but this was from Coventry's point of view a must-win match and to their great credit that was achieved.

 

Yes, there had been more than a few worrying moments for the home crowd to digest - a horrendous beginning which saw 14 points shipped inside the first eight minutes, and a tense final period, which included five minutes of injury time when Newbury battled to draw level.

 

Stern and dogged defence denied the visitors however, even when Cov in those dying moments were down to 14 men after Darren Clayton was yellow carded.

 

It epitomised the performance.

 

Understandably head coach Mike Umaga was a relieved man post match.

 

A couple of late changes necessary in the injury-hit squad meaning selection had to be delayed until the last moments, had been unsettling.

 

"These guys however are a proud bunch," commented Umaga, also referring to the recent criticism levelled at them.

 

"Hopefully some of those people who had been knocking them would have witnessed this performance," he added.

 

There can be little doubt Tom Johnson, probably Cov's man of the match, with his all-action display was once again a key figure in an effective back row, lock Ian Nimmo as his coach admitted was also improving by the match.

 

Behind the forwards, with Donovan Sanders returning in the centre, there was definitely a stronger cutting edge, with Myles Dorrian, although named at full back, spending much of his time at fly-half, with Ben Russell at the back.

 

Another key element was record try scoring wing Kurt Johnson displaying much of his old flair and pace - a most welcome sight.

 

Yet it all began so badly.

 

Newbury, off to a flier before Cov knew what was happening ran in tries from flanker Matt Styles and winger Martin Nutt and with Nick Defty converting both, it was 14-0 and not looking good.

 

To their credit, Coventry dug in, Newbury lost tryscorer Styles with a suspected broken jaw, but finally on 22 minutes, the home side clawed back points.

 

Persistent pressure was rewarded with Ben Russell converting after crossing for his maiden club try, although a Defty penalty seven minutes later opened up the gap to 17-7.

A Donovan Sanders pass was then adjudged forward, before just on half-time, Coventry gained the score they so needed.

Kurt Johnson it was with his 83rd Cov league try who crossed, and although Russell missed the kick, 17-12 was a whole better.

Six minutes into the second half and the home crowd saw their side in front for the first time.

A line-out won on the right, the ball switched left, before coming right again and lock Ian Nimmo was able to crash through for his maiden try, Russell converting.

Only a try-saving tackle by Rees on Kurt Johnson stopped Cov from adding to their lead, before after 64 minutes Newbury went back in front again.

A break out saw David Rees feed full-back Mal Roberts who stormed away for the try, Defty converting superbly from touch.

Five minutes later however, Cov regained a lead they were not to lose again. Kurt Johnson triumphantly flew over for his second try, thus gaining his side a much-needed bonus point, Russell converting as well as adding a penalty goal eight minutes later after two earlier misses from longer range.

Coventry: Dorrian; K Johnson, Sanders (Dixon 69m), Clayton, Takarangi, Russell, Walls; Wyn-Davies, Protherough, Brits (Treston 54m), Campton, Nimmo, T Johnson, O'Connor, W Johnson (Capt).


Newbury: Roberts; Nutt (Barden 78m), Rees, James, Gibson, Defty, Smaje ( Simpson-Daniel 72m), Faulkner, Cooper (Dalgleish 72m), Bruce (Carter 47m), Hayter (Capt), Radbourne (Harris 57m), Styles (Smith 15m), Morgan, Brown.

Terrace verdict: Tom Little.

Last week's Bedford blues were banished in an exciting, if somewhat nerve-racking game against a free-running Newbury.

The gifting of 14 points so early on, led Coventry to dig deep and the spirit so sadly lacking last week came back to the side.

The pack became dominant, starving Newbury of possession and territory. Despite some last minute desperate defending on their own line, Coventry made the bonus winning points.

The faces on the players at the final whistle said it all; relief, belief and pride in each other and the team were restored.

Position

Poster's name

Player's name

Total

1

Laugh Out Loud

Tom Johnson

29

2

Bambi C

Mike Walls

26

3

covmick/Michael Carter

Ben Russell

24

4

No 1 Son

George Dixon

23

-

simplyfred

Aaron Takarangi

23

5

fatprop

Kurt Johnson

20

6

cov pete

Louie Tonkin

19

-

marbles

John O'Connor

19

-

CeeBee

Rudi Brits

19

7

Ice Queen

Stuart Friswell

16

-

tom snr

Will Johnson

16

8

Kimbo

Carl Rimmer

15

-

justwatching!

Sam Montague

15

9

johnr

Myles Dorrian

14

-

Rob_Drawn_and_Quartered

Alun Wyn Davies

14

10

Steve H (Peggy)

Kieran Geraghty

13

-

ChrisW

Hendry Rheeders

13

11

roachVII

Darren Clayton

12

-

 

Ian Nimmo

12

12

can i really be bothered

Apoua Stewart

11

-

Big_Bad_Kiwi

Duncan James

11

13

rock salt

Dave Campton

10

-

propupthebar

Donovan Sanders

10

14

No 2 Son

Ben Toft

8

15

Inside

Rich Siveter

7

-

 

Ed Binham

7

16

jman

Henno Venter

6

17

Gimlet

Rich Protherough

5

18

Cov Girl 1

Niall Treston

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