The fact this match was played at all and to its full conclusion said so much for the players and match officials. Freezing temperatures and a pitch that at best could be called hard did not detract, with the Pirates returning to the South West with the pre Christmas spoils.

 

Once more, a far from ideal build up for the Coventry squad who’s preparation with limited training over previous days certainly affected their performance. Cornish Pirates, a well organised side, their match squad containing five ex Coventry names were in no more to offer early seasonal presents. Cov did show a considerable improvement after a disappointing first half and might just have run their visitors a little closer but a for a number of costly errors.

 

13 points down at half time having faced the biting wind, it was a tough ask to come back and briefly Coventry did threaten to overturn things. Earlier though the Cornishmen were in almost total charge  and but for a forward pass in the lead up to what would have a score plus a missed penalty, the margin in reality could have been greater. As it was full back Cook was successful with two penalties inside the opening 8 minutes and with the visitors in control fly half Bentley was ‘’ over’’ on 29 minutes but for the forward pass. A try did however come 3 minutes before half time, centre Jones being on the end of a passing move to cross wide out, Cook judging his conversion kick well.

 

Coventry had not seriously threatened, but with Tommy Hayes coming on for the second half to help control affairs, briefly a comeback threatened. 6 minutes into the half Hayes set Phil Mackenzie free, the hard running Canadian breaking before finally receiving the try scoring pass, Ollie Grove converting from wide out. All of a sudden 7 -13. Hope was short lived however with the Pirates replacement Holmes being driven over 4 minutes later for a try converted by Cook after a Simon Frewin chip ahead did not go to plan for Cov. The game was effectively finally sealed however on 68 minutes, a long and rather unnecessary pass in  mid field 60 metres saw Pirates full back Cook gratefully accept the interception to steam away for the try, the same player converting.

 

Down 7 -27 Cov with most replacements now on kept plugging away and it was the second Canadian Aaron Carpenter who claim ed try number two. Now operating at number 8, Carpenter picked up from a scum some 28 metres out to steam over against a defence who had seemed to momentarily lose concentration, Grove’s conversion this time sailing wide.

 

No further score, but on a bitter, freezing evening, an improved second half with Coventry hoping to re build confidence further with the visit to Moseley on Boxing Day.

 

Coventry. Ollie Winter, Ollie Grove, Phil Mackenzie, Fangatapu Apikotoa, Simon Frewin, James Thomas, Mike Walls, Rob Dugard, Ross McMillan, Jamie Hall, Sam Herrington, Louis McGowan, Aaron Carpenter, Richie Bignell, Henno Venter (Capt)

 

Replacements; Matthew Dwyer for Mc Millan, Dai Maddocks for Dugard, Benji Dechartres for for McGowan, David Askew for Venter, Chris Lewis for Apikotoa, Tommy Hayes for Thomas.

 

Coventry. Tries; Phil Mackenzie, Aaron Carpenter. Conversion; Ollie Grove.

 

Cornish Pirates. Tries; Rhys Jones, Tyrone Holmes, Rob Cook. Conversions; Cook 3

Penalty Goals; Cook 2