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A better Coventry performance at Meadow Lane was still not enough for them to seal a win, although a gritty first half saw them go into halftime , deservedly leading 13-12. Despite a poor start to the 2nd half a determined approach saw them get the score back to 20-29 before a late penalty and injury time score finally gave Nottingham a slightlyflattering scoreline. Coventry also had the misfortune to play the last 10 mins with 14 men after losing Man of the Match Aaron Carpenter with a serious looking shoulder injury.
A bright dry Spring day saw Coventry facing a strong and cold wind. Nottingham made a determined start forcing a number of 5 m lineouts and driving mauls. A succession of penalties finally saw Carpenter yellow carded on just 2mins. Brave Coventry defence finally gave way after another driving maul for Craig Hammond to force his way over on 4min, Greg Tonks converted to make it 7 nil.
Facing the strong wind Coventry tried to keep the ball in hand and run it back at Nottingham. Pressure in the home 22 finally saw a quick penalty taken by Nathan Jones who raced in from 22m on 9min, Russell converted making scores equal. On 19mins a poor defensive kick by Russell was run back by Nottingham for Jack Cobden to score wide out, Tonks missed conversion making score Nottingham 12 Coventry 7. Carpenter was proving a handful for the home defence and with Mahony also proving some deft touches the pressure was now coming onto Nottingham. Their bravery was rewarded on 32mins as Russell kicked a 28m penalty and he repeated his success on 36mins to put Coventry into the lead 13-12. A Mackenzie break almost led to a try and Russell missed a 45m penalty on halftime as the score remained Nottingham 12 Coventry 13.
Coventry made the worst possible start to the 2nd half as a series of penalties gave Nottingham the platform to move the ball. The quick recycling of ball led to an unconverted try for David Jackson on 2min making score Nottingham 17 Coventry 13.
On 4min Russell missed a 24m penalty and Nottingham took full advantage as on 11min Tim Streather surged through a gap for Jackson to convert making score Nottingham 24 Coventry 13. Coventry then tried to run a penalty inside their own half instead of kicking for touch, the ball was lost allowing Streather to run through for his 2nd try on 19min for Jackson to miss conversion. Score Nottingham 29 Coventry 13.
Coventry refused to lie down and following pressure on the Nottingham line. Tom Youngs was yellow carded for killing the ball. The resultant scrum allowed Carpenter to run over unapposed on 26min, with Russell's conversion this brought score to Nottingham 29 Coventry 20. It was still any teams game but Coventry now started to kick poorly and started to rush passes. Nottingham took full advantage on 32min as Jackson kicked a 23m penalty. Score Nottingham 32 Coventry 20.
Carpenter now had to go off with a serious looking shoulder injury leaving Coventry one man short for the remainder of the game. Yet they still continued to look for a bonus point but deep into injury time a loose chip ahead by Chris Lewis was run back allowing John Johnson to score in the corner. Final score Nottingham 37 Coventry 20.
Overall a much better team performance by Coventry with the pack prominent and Carpenter and Mahony playing well. Once again Coventry played into Nottingham's hands by some poor kicking options and rushed passes. Certainly Coventry put down some postive signs for the forthcoming games against Moseley, Rotherham and Birmingham/Solihull.
Teams Coventry Mahony, Frewin, Mackenzie, Lewis Chris, Lewis James, Russell, Jones, Maddocks, Macmillan, Dugard, Herrington, McGowan, Askew, Bignell. Carpenter. Replacements Roberts Hall 59m for Dugard Maddocks Walls 64 m for Jones Pons Plantey 67m for Bignell Frewin Deschartres 73m for Herrington Daview 71m for Mackenzie
Nottingham Streather, Savage, Cobden, Marshall, Blake, Tonks, White, Parr, Youngs, Buxton, Hemmingway, Rouse, Hammond, Sherriff, Eagleshaw. replacements used Jackson, Everard, Sammons, Barnard, Johnson, Slater, Fowkes. |
