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Victories very rarely come easily in Wales, Coventry however came mighty close to achieving one at the Gnoll, a first visit to the famous old ground in 20 years for this British and Irish Cup match. A number of factors to be fair did contribute to the fact that, sadly Cov did return without the spoils and a much needed win. A defining moment certainly on 69 minutes when a pass 50 metres out from James Lewis to namesake Chris was adjudged marginally forward on the advice of the touch judge instead of a try under the posts which would have give the Butts Park men the lead back at a crucial time. Conversely though, Coventry, again in red and white change strip perhaps did not quite take as much advantage as should have been the case when Neath were twice down to 14 men. Overall rather too many first up tackles were also missed with the home pack also having an edge a key times in winning key ball at rucks. Overall though there was much to commend in the Coventry performance with the play offs approaching, some excellent work by the forwards in set scrums and in driving mauls, whilst the backs showed a refreshing willingness to move around at pace and cause problems. A very encouraging debut as well for New Zealander Chris Mahony, on as a replacement for Fangatapu Apikotoa after the Tongan picked up a rib injury. It was Coventry who put first points on the board on a superb playing surface at the Gnoll. A quick tap penalty 35 metres out from Nathan Jones and switch to the right saw Simon Frewin make ground down the right to cross in the corner on 4 minutes for Ben Russell to convert superbly. Three tries then from the Welsh Premiership leaders which saw them lead 17 -7 by the 23rd minute. Left wing Jenkins benefited from a diagonal punt from fly half McCarthy to cross, former international centre Brew muscling his way over and after more Neath pressure with Cov living off scraps at this point, Jenkins crossing for his second try after important tackles were missed. McCarthy converted the last one. On 24 minutes Chris Mahony replaced Tapu who had picked his rib injury up a little earlier, Ben Russell moving to fly half. 5 minutes later from inside his own 22, Phil Mackenzie intercepted a Neath pass to storm away for an interception try, Ben Russell slicing his conversion, but at 17 – 12 a lot better. Two surges by Chris Lewis promised well, but no further score before the break with McCarthy missing a home penalty with the last kick of the half. Within a minute of the restart after an altercation in the Cov 22, Neath scrum half James was singled out for a yellow card and with Coventry then straight on to the attack try number 3 to take them in front. Neat inter passing and a flipped inside pass saw Chris Mahony claim a maiden try with Russell converting for 17 -19. By now Cov were dominating position and possession and on 54 minutes came try number 4. An excellent rolling maul from 20 metres out saw the forwards drive over, Jamie Hall being credited with the try, Ben Russell’s conversion attempt slipping wide. Within 3 minutes however Neath were level, Smith on the right wing making ground with first up tackles being missed to cross, McCarthy’s superb conversion levelling matters at 24 pts all. Another catch and drive was held up, Russell missing a 41 metre penalty with Neath again being reduced to 14 men when replacement prop Reeves received yellow within 40 seconds of coming on ! The James Lewis pass was then adjudged forward before with some 4 minutes of normal time remaining a Neath tap penalty again saw winger Smith run through to claim what was to be the winning try, McCarthy missing the kick. Cov kept firing to the end, Mahony having a big hand in a counter to half way with Neath content to keep their visitors pegged back. Disappointment certainly that in a far from meaningless cup tie which it had been rather unfairly described in some circles, a good old fashioned Welsh/English clash had finished with Cov still seeking the elusive moral building win, but certainly plusses to take from the game. Coventry. Ben Russell, Simon Frewin, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Lewis, James Lewis, Fangatapu Apikotoa, Nathan Jones, Rob Dugard, Matt Dwyer, Jamie Hall, Sam Herrington, Ben Dechartres, Aaron Carpenter (Capt), Richie Bignell, Alex Shaw. Replacements; Ross McMillan for Dwyer, Dai Maddocks for Dugard, Louis McGowan for Dechartres, David Askew for Shaw, Ollie Frost for Jones, Geraint Davies for Mackenzie, Chris Mahony for Apikotoa. Neath. Tries; Alec Jenkins 2, Richard Smith 2, Nathan Brew. Conversions; Gareth McCarthy 2. Coventry. Tries; Simon Frewin, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Mahony, Jamie Hall. Conversions; Ben Russell 2
John Butler
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