By John Wilkinson A GOOD job well done was director of rugby Rowland Winter’s verdict after Coventry racked up high-scoring wins over Sale FC and Broadstreet in Saturday’s double-header at Butts Park Arena.
Five tries in a strong last 25 minutes saw a largely Development Academy side pull away to a 57-24 victory over Broadstreet before an impressive all-round performance secured a 50-0 scoreline over Sale.
“It was a pleasing day in every respect and showed the strength in depth that we have,” said Winter.
“Our performance against Sale was a good step forward after Jersey the previous week.
“Our discipline was much improved, after a poor start when we were penalised three times in the first few minutes we didn’t give away another penalty in the first half and kept the final total to single figures which is our aim, so that’s a good change.
“More importantly, I thought we were more accurate than last week, we were more clinical and took our opportunities when they came.
“Our set piece was superb and gave us a great platform to play off, and our attack showed that it’s starting to gel. The different combinations we checked out seemed seamless and things went pretty well.
“I was probably most pleased with our defence – to nil a team that was borderline coming up into this division and not give them too many opportunities in our 22 at all and deal with that comfortably is very good.”
Added Winter: “The majority of the development squad players have been recruited in the last four or five months, and we’ve pulled together a second team which is the club’s pathway for future years but is also at a standard that’s already able to compete at National Two level and above which bodes well.
“I’m really pleased that a lot of them have put their hand up, not just for selection for the development side but really to be knocking on the door for the first team, and I also thought the senior players involved in that side really stood up and showed their experience.”
