For Rugby Director Phil Maynard & his coaching team, after all the hard work put in to secure a largely new squad, the initial view of the team in match action must have been heartening.

Enjoyable too for the loyal band of Cov supporters who made the trip over to Stourton.

Whilst one must not get too carried away on the basis of one pre season warm up match played over four 20 minute sessions, there were many early encouraging signs suggesting competition for places should be very keen with some 27 players having been used in various segments of this match.

For the record, Coventry in almost total charge save for a period in the second session when Stourbridge did threaten, 8 excellent tries were scored through Henno Venter 2, George Crook, Jamie Hall, Rob Dugard, Ollie Winter, Simon Frewin and Louis Mc Gowan. Six conversions came from the boots of Crook, Chris Lewis and Tommy Hayes each with two.

An excellent start, onwards and upwards to Aberavon at the Butts Park Arena.