Coventry 13 Munster 20

Written by John Butler

Monday, 23 November 2009

A close one indeed and arguably with a better percentage rate from their goal kicking certainly a game Coventry could have won. Once again though Cov allowed their visitors too much respect in the first half, strong words at half time again turning things round well after the break, most notably as a result of a storming performance from the pack of forwards who made their Irish counterparts look very much second best in most departments, notably the set scrums and driving mauls.   Unfortunately a lot of damage had been done by half time with first up tackles being missed and Munster capitalising with three tries from effectively only three of four entries into the home 22. Coventry territorially must have enjoyed 70 -75% of the opening 40 minutes, yet found themselves 3 -15 down and had Munster fly half Cussack been half as successful with his kicking as his illustrious senior in a Munster jersey, Ronan O’Gara,the margin to pull back would have been steeper. Sadly Cov made the sort of start which has become all too regular, conceding a try within four minutes. A breakout lead by the impressive scrum half Williams and full back Jones saw the ball pass through several pairs of hands before Williams crossed, Cusack missing the conversion.   An excellent penalty kick to touch from Joey Carlisle saw Cov subsequently waste the position giving away a penalty , Carlisle then just curling wide a penalty attempt at goal, before Munster increased their lead on 14 minutes, several phases leading to skipper Coughlan crossing, again unconverted. Cov really now began to build a lot of pressure, Carlisle breaking and Will Hurrell carrying the move on, Ollie Winter knocking on in a promising position. It was a superb Winter break however which lead to the position from which Joey Carlisle landed his once successful kick of the night, a 30 metre penalty on 29 minutes for 3 -10. Play continued mainly in the Munster half, sadly though after making a superb break, Carlisle missed an important penalty from 36 metres after 33 minutes. More pressure, no reward, Cov then being hit when fly half Cusack broke on his 40 metre line centre Gleeson finishing the move off for try number 3. Carlisle was to miss once more, this time from 45 metres for 3 -15 at half time. With the impressive Coventry pack continuing to cause big problems even with a number of changes at the break there was real hope, some of which dissipated on 42 minutes as Irish lock Nagle took advantage of costly errors to cross for Munster fourth try, Cusack once more not judging the direction with his conversion attempt.   A 40 metre break from Hurley spelt danger for Cov, the Blue and Whites replying as Mike Walls in his 100th club appearance sent Hurrell through on the chase. Ross Mc Millan and Coughlan for Munster then received yellow after a bit of a dust up, before Coventry gave themselves a real lifeline courtesy of the forwards. A magnificent driving maul saw Scott Roberts come up with the ball, Carlisle missing the kick, 8 -20. Ben Dechartres then received yellow after 76 minutes after becoming involved in another incident, Deasy being short with a penalty attempt for the visitors, before the seven man Coventry pack produced another great catch and drive. Phil Mackenzie set up the position with a superb break and chip through and within three minutes the resulting drive saw Jo Merrigan claim the try, replacement James Thomas just missing the conversion.   A losing bonus point in the bag, but ultimately the feeling that it was just another one which could so easily have gone the other way. Coventry. Ollie Winter, Simon Frewin, Drew Locke, Chris Lewis, Will Hurrell, Joey Carlisle, Mike Walls, Kevin Davis, Ross McMillan, Rob Dugard, Arthur Brenton (Capt), Louis McGowan, Sam Herrington, Richie Bignell, Henno Venter.   Replacements; Jo Merrigan for McMillan, Scott Roberts for Dugard, Jamie Hall for Davis, Ben Dechartres for McGowan, David Askew for Herrington, James Thomas for Carlisle, Phil Mackenzie for Lewis.   Coventry; Tries; Scott Roberts, Jo Merrigan. Penalty goal; Joey Carlisle Munster; Tries; Duncan Williams, James Coughlan, Tom Gleeson, Ian Nagle.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 November 2009 )

 

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