What a fantastic performance and result; just look at the number of sides who achieve a positive result from Plymouth !  Very few is the answer.

Coventry’s first win in five attempts at the Brickfields was richly earned and positive in every sense from the squad’s point of view. It was also a victory for pro active planning, Team Manager Tony Gulliver deciding the squad would benefit from an overnight stop which was proven to be spot on, a factor which Head Coach Murray Henderson was not slow to pick up on post match.

It was a team victory in every sense, the side even overcoming the loss of centre Donovan Sanders after just four minutes. Having weathered the stiff breeze in the first half, but still turned round in front, Cov took total control of the second half, chances were taken, defence superb, with the pack of forwards outstanding, superbly lead from number 8 by Laurie McGlone, the New Zealander having by far his most outstanding match for the club.

With Albion’s Laidlaw missing two early penalty attempts, Coventry went in front after just 11 minutes, having already been forced to re group following the Sanders departure after a heavy knock.. Plymouth failed to clear convincingly from a scrum in their ‘’22’’ and from the loose ball, Kurt Johnson superbly weaved his way through for league try number 94 in the blue and white colours and his 101st overall for Cov,  Ben Russell’s conversion failing.

The next quarter saw Plymouth attempting to come back, but with little success against solid defensive work until number 8 Kettle scored pursuing a kick ahead, Laidlaw converting for 7-5 to the home side.

Despite playing into that breeze, Coventry however were back in front just before the break, the forwards driving Dai Maddocks over from a line out for Russell to convert, 10-7 at half time.

Albion’s hooker Owen restored home advantage with a try converted by Laidlaw just after the restart, but Cov were in no mood to be denied as they controlled the next half an hour to set up what ultimately was a superb victory. Finally, a Ben Russell penalty on 63 minutes saw the Midlanders back in front and then 5 minutes later, the home crowd were to witness something they do not see too often, their pack of forwards being taken apart. From a five metre scrum, the impressive Laurie McGlone claimed his maiden club try, Russell converting, before the Cov captain landed two late drop goals to seal Albion’s fate. In between them, home winger Gibson grabbed Plymouth’s third try, but it was too little too late, Coventry returning to the Midlands with a superb first away win of the season safely tucked under their belts.

One final and fascinating fact to come out of the match. Ben Russell’s two late dropped goals equalled the club record for the number landed in a league match. Just another factor to celebrate from a great day.

Coventry. Ben Toft, Kurt Johnson, Jack Cobden, Donovan Sanders, Logon Kirisome, Ben Russell (Capt), Mike Walls, Dai Maddocks, Stuart Friswell, Rudi Brits, Gregor Gillanders, Ian Nimmo, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Lee Parry, Tom Slater, Carl Rimmer, Chris Whitehead, Danny Hodge, Henno Venter, Hendry Rheeders.

Plymouth Albion. E Lewis, Gibosn, Cruickshanks, Davis, Sestaret, Laidlaw, Lewsey, Mathias, Owen Rice, Stewart, Hayes, Stroud, Bornman, Kettle.

Replacements used; Neethling, Davies, Oxley, Gulliver, Lowrie, M Lewis

Coventry. Tries; Kurt Johnson, Dai Maddocks, Laurie Mc Glone.

        Conversions; Ben Russell 2. Penalty goal; Russell. Drop Goals; Russell 2

Plymouth Albion. Tries; Adam Kettle, James Owen, Liam Gibson

         Conversions; Ross Laidlaw 2