Coventry 24      Birmingham & Solihull 7

If  ever there was a must win game it was this one. Having gone eight matches without enjoying success and in the knowledge this was a prelude to two meetings with the Bees in the play offs, nothing else would do.

14 points up inside nine minutes, surely the visitors without a win and with a much changed side both from their previous game and from earlier in the season, were ripe for the kill.

It didn’t happen because overall Cov’s performance still left an awful lot to be desired with a combination of mistakes and wrong options particularly in the first half all allowing the Bees to stay in contention for a lot longer than should have been the case. All that and with so much territorial advantage as well.

Indeed with ball in hand despite living off very limited possession the visitors showed themselves to be dangerous with the ball in hand from counter attacks. Fortunately Coventry were generally well in charge of set pieces, shunting the Bees pack at several set scrums.

Back to the opening phases however and two good Cov tries really had the home crowd anticipating more. Within four minutes concerted pressure saw Jamie Hall drive over, Ben Russell who had not kicked competitively for some time converting well. Five minutes later it got even better for when Bees failed to find touch, James Lewis launched a move across field, a long pass from Fangatapu Apikitoa to Phil MadcKenzie causing immediate problems. Through went the Canadian centre in superb style for try number two converted well by Russell and all was looking good.

On fourteen minutes though having had little possession or territory the Bees struck back, the dangerous Hunt on the right chipping ahead and just winning the touch down after referee McMenemy had consulted his touch judge. Aley converted from wide out for 14 -7.

In truth Cov could and most certainly should have been more than 7 points clear at the break. A scything break on 19 minutes from Aaron Carpenter 35 metres out saw the flanker hauled down short but with support outside, good driving play by Herrington setting up a position only for a penalty to be conceded. More attacks followed, but to the frustration of the home crowd, these just continued to break down either through mistakes or penalties conceded. Indeed there was a let off  on 35 minutes, Bees themselves losing possession in the home 22 after a missed tackle in midfield by Cov.

Aley then scuffed a 35 metres penalty attempt for Bees, before no 8 Clayton received yellow for a high tackle. From the penalty kick to the corner however, possession was again lost. Indeed should the penalty option of three points have been taken instead?

14 -7 at the end of a highly frustrating half, but soon it was to become 17 -7, Ben Russell slotting an easy penalty after Alex Shaw had charged into the 22 and Bees were offside.

Aley again missed a penalty for Birmingham Solihull before Coventry could breathe just a little easier. Another kick to the corner from a penalty and this time Alex Shaw was able to claim his maiden club try, Russell again landing an excellent conversion. By the now Cov were well on top, Shaw and Carpenter combining well, the forwards making a real mess of a Bees scrum. To the credit of the Solihull side good defence kept Cov out and when they did counter which occurred on several occasions, Bees came very close to adding to their account. Twice replacement Kurt Johnson put in  try saving tackles, although in attacking sense his hands certainly let him down more than once. Aaron Carpenter also received yellow in the build up to one of the visitors attacks.

A win never seriously in doubt which means that the Blue and Whites cannot finish anything other than second to bottom before the play offs. A performance though which whilst hopefully helping confidence certainly also showed that overall much work is still needed.

Coventry. Fangatapu Apikotoa, James Lewis, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Lewis, Romain Plantey, Ben Russell, Ollie Frost, Rob Dugard, Ross McMillan, Jamie Hall, Arthur Brenton (Capt), Sam Herrington, Aaron Carpenter, Richie Bignell, Alex Shaw.

Replacements; Matt Dwyer for McMillan, Scott Roberts for Dugard, Louis McGowan for Brenton, Ben Pons for Bignell, Mike Wall for James Lewis, Tommy Hayes for Apikotoa, Kurt Johnson for Plantey.

Coventry. Tries; Jamie Hall, Phil Mackenzie, Alex Shaw. Conversions; Ben Russell 3.

Penalty goal; Russell

Birmingham & Solihull. Try; Simon Hunt. Conversion; Ricky Aley.