Coventry 17-27 Bristol

By Pete Walford
March 13 2005

It had to happen sometime but… Every Coventry supporter feared it – a 2005 defeat. The manner of this defeat and questionable decisions left Cov nursing their first defeat in eight games and 2005. The decisions didn’t always go against Cov but it certainly felt that they were the more harshly treated side.

The main turning point Coventry will feel hard done by occurred 15 minutes into the second half with the score at 14-17 in Bristol’s favour.  Following a Bristol infringement on the Bristol 22, Shaun Perry took a quick tap and go breaking through the retreating Bristol players and diving over the line sending the Coventry support into celebrations.  Only for the decision to be reversed with what appeared to be Bristol protest for obstruction though the restart was with a scrum.  (Trust me to forget my rulebook – rule 6.A.7 I believe!) Though the ref never seemed to consult the touch judge as the rule states touch judge intervention not opposition captain.  This decision seemed to take the wind out of Coventry’s sails and rejuvenated the Bristol side.  From this point on the Bristol possession and territory was kept up but Coventry were holding firm – the score remaining 14-17.

 

Until the 66^th minute Cov were able to repel the Bristol pressure, when Sean Marsden went over in the right corner, his second try of the game, after the ball was spun from left to right leaving a simple run in for Bristol.  Jason Strange missed the resultant conversion to leave Bristol 22 – 14 ahead.  The last 10 minutes saw Coventry push forward looking for the 9 points to snatch victory but Bristol were happy to clear for touch.  The award of a penalty for not releasing the ball in a tackle, allowed Cov a kick to the corner but the ensuing line out was lost, similarly 2 minutes later – Cov gaining field position but failing in the execution.  6 minutes remaining and still 9 points adrift, a penalty within 10m of the line and Richard Davies tool the three points on offer to allow a converted try to be enough for victory.

 

Unfortunately, the ref had other ideas, penalising Coventry within their 22 and the following lineout allowed a Bristol catch and drive ending with Saul Nelson under a pile of bodies to put the visitors lead back to 10 (17-27).  Strange missed the conversion but Bristol held out for victory and ended the game in the Coventry half underlining the territorial advantage they had had all game.

 

The first half had started badly for Coventry, Jason Strange kicking 7^th and 14^th minute penalties from around 40m to give Bristol a 6-0 lead, even missing one between his successful attempts.  As early as the third minute the questionable decisions had started – Bristol penalised for stamping but no card was shown, had one been produced the game may have been less stop-start whistle and more flowing which both teams were trying to do.  Though the first 10 minutes had not produced a single Coventry foray into the Bristol half, an interception try (for once this season for Coventry!) from Hendry Rheeders on 16 minutes – anticipating the slowness of Bristol passing and charging in from halfway under the posts, Davies tagging on the conversion for a 7-6 Coventry score line.  Things were about to get better for Coventry as they began to press forward in a more concerted effort, the interception try giving belief they could take the game from Bristol.  A Bristol knock-on gave Cov a scrum to the left on the 10m line in the Bristol half, Shaun Perry took to the blindside using Kurt Johnson as a decoy, evaded the tackles from three Bristol defenders touching down in style in the left hand corner.  Richard Davies superbly putting the touchline conversion through the middle of the posts for a 14 – 6 lead.  A Davies penalty from an angled 35m fell just short as Coventry upped the pressure to the visitor’s line.

 

On the stroke of halftime, Bristol were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, Strange pulling three points back.  Then insult to injury, six minutes of added time played, Davies attempted a further penalty which he pushed to the right after the ref informed Coventry there wasn’t enough time for one more phase of play but two minutes later Bristol broke down their right, Marco Stanojevic tackled by Davies, in the Cov 22, appeared to not release the ball with three Cov players although the ref played on and Marsden crossed on the left to level the scores at 14-14.  Strange failed to add the extra points but after half time, sneaked Bristol ahead 14-17 following a penalty for handling in the ruck before the pivotal decision in the 55^th minute.

 

Halftime: 14 – 14

 

Pete Walford