Ben Russell delighted with his winning return

COVENTRY captain Ben Russell was delighted to negotiate a full 80 minutes of competitive rugby in Saturday's 26-17 home win over Esher as he returned from a seven-week injury absence. Russell, who played at full-back, is awaiting the results of a weekend scan which could only now determine the exact nature of the back problem that saw him go off at half-time in Cov's January 19 win at Rotherham

but is happy that he has made a full recovery.

"I'm a bit sore and stiff, but considering I couldn't walk for three days after it happened, I don't mind at all," said Russell after the game.

"It may turn out to have been a fracture, but six weeks is about the time it would take for that to heal.

"I took quite a few hits running the ball back in the first half - the wind was too strong to kick into it - with no adverse affect, so it seems fine now."

The leading points scorer for the side, Russell was also happy to leave the goalkicking to Ronnie McLean, who put over a conversion and three penalties.

"Ronnie has been kicking while I was out since he returned to the side and doing well," said the skipper, "and since the injury I hadn't kicked a ball before the end of the week.

"We had a practice session on Friday, Ronnie was kicking better than me, so that was the way it was."

NUNEATON are through to the last four in the National Colts Cup after powering their way to a 35-20 quarter-final win over Torquay at Liberty Way.

The Under-19 Nuns scored three tries against the wind in the first half to lead 17-6, centre Brett Chatwin (2) and Ben Gilbert touching down, and Jamie Ashley and Dan Elkerton added after the break - Tom Short finishing with two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.