Fighting Coventry suffer Harlequins defeat

The atmosphere at the Butts Park Arena was electric as players and supporters alike enjoyed a long awaited and thoroughly enjoyable match against Harlequins, the result by no means a whitewash with Coventry going down to an 18-36 defeat.

Having fallen from grace and into National League One, the Quins have every intention of returning to the top flight and, going into the Coventry match with a 100% unbeaten record and the likes of international maestro Andrew Mehrtens in the ranks, Dean Richards’ side were formidable opposition.

But at a very wet and grey Butts Park Arena, and with Coventry Head Coach Mike Umaga able to name a full strength side after captain Hendry Rheeders passed a late fitness test, Coventry appeared confident and keen to prove their worth in front of a packed crowd.

Coventry gave themselves the fairytale start to the match in the 2nd minute when they capitalized on Quins handling problems, with Kisi Pulu reaching for the line after a solid Coventry drive. However it was not long before Coventry found themselves under pressure and pushed back into their own half, but, unlike during last Saturdays disappointing performance against Pertemps Bees, Coventry were able to use precise kicking to combat spells of pronounced Quins pressure. The Coventry forwards quickly found themselves defending deep and at times on their own line, eventually yielding to a try for Quins and prop Ceri Jones, with Andrew Mehrtens kicking the conversion. On twenty minutes Coventry gained an advantage when Harlequins winger Mike Brown clashed with Cov fly-half Jon Higgins, receiving a sin-binning for the offence. The one-man advantage did give Cov more chance to counter Harlequins’ attacks, and Coventry’s focus on kicking and defensive catches frustrated the Quins, leaving them pegged to the middle of the pitch. But when they did break the visitors did with strength and Steven So’oialo cancelled out Coventry’s defence on the half hour. The opportunities Cov did engineer did not quite come to fruition and by half-time the Harlequins were edging the match 11-17

Harlequins began the second half almost identically to their hosts, a quick passing move allowing winger Simon Keogh to cross over for the try. The Quins appeared more confident and this sentiment was no doubt enhanced when Coventry’s Ben Gulliver was penalized and sin-binned. Harlequins decided to make a series of replacements and such tactics paid dividends when Jim Evans reached the line for try number 4 and Mehrtens converted. This did not deter the Coventry side’s spirit, or the home supporter’s enthusiasm and the team dug deep defensively as the Quins pressured Coventry on both wings. Harlequins continued this pattern and were again rewarded by another try for Keogh and seemingly by this point had placed themselves in the driving seat, leading 11-36. But Coventry, battling to the last, found their perseverance rewarded in the final stages of the match with a much-celebrated try for Jon Higgins. Man of the match James Moore converted and an inspired Coventry pushed for another: unfortunately they were beaten by the clock.

The record Butts Park crowd saw a courageous, unified display from Coventry and bore witness to an exciting game of rugby. Coventry were a credit to the home support, fully deserving of their standing ovation, and made Harlequins work hard for their victory.

Don't forget - if you missed the match, or just want to re-live the action from Saturday we will be showing the game at 7.30pm in the bar on Monday evening. Doors open from 5pm. Buy 1 drink; get 1 free (excluding wine & champagne)