By Coventry Rugby 
by Alex Didlck
On a wet afternoon at the Butts Park Arena, Coventry once again turned pressure into points, delivering a clinical, bonus-point win that underlined their growing confidence and momentum in the Champ.
With Coventry’s first sustained spell of possession came the home side’s first dance under the posts. Allan Ferrie, running a lovely line off his forward partner Jordon Poole, crossed for the opening try inside three minutes. In greasy conditions, it was the perfect start for the hosts.
Coventry were quick to find their rhythm and were unlucky not to add a second moments later. A flowing move, highlighted by Ewan Baker’s cheeky chip in behind, almost produced another score but the Pirates managed to scramble clear. They were immediately back under pressure, however, conceding an offside penalty which Josh Thomas converted to give the Cov Dogs a 10–0 lead.
The Pirates continued to gift possession far too easily in the early exchanges. This time, a penalty allowed Coventry to march deep into the Pirates’ 22. A series of hammering carries softened up the defence before Josh Thomas, who shifted the ball on to Peter Sullivan who found a gap for his 14th try of the season. 15–0.
The Pirates finally hit back. If there was a blemish on Coventry’s near-flawless opening, it was a handful of knock-ons where possession wasn’t retained. Scrum-half Hiscocks exploited one such lapse, quick hands out wide catching Coventry short to reduce the deficit. 15–5.
At this point, the Pirates began to find their footing. A sharp, eagle-eyed 50–22 from the fly-half handed them prime territory, and momentum swung further when second row Josh King powered over to bring the visitors back within three points. 15–12.
Between the 20th and 30th minutes, the game settled into a set-piece battle, with points hard to come by. The deadlock was eventually broken when Pirates lock Rory Sutor was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Coventry kicked to the corner and made their numerical advantage count, Aristot Benz-Salomon crashing over from the back of the ruck. 20–12.
As the half entered its final stages, Josh Thomas pinned the Pirates deep with a huge kick to the five-metre line. The visitors initially looked to have resisted, but a high tackle on Tom Bacon by Buster Rice handed Coventry another opportunity. With the Pirates down to 14, Senitiki Nayalo capped off the half by crashing over for the bonus-point try- his third home score in as many home matches. Coventry went into the break with a commanding 27–12 lead.
Fifteen points clear, it felt as though a solid start to the second half would be enough to put the contest to bed. The opening ten minutes after the restart mirrored the end of the first, with rain beginning to fall and accuracy at a premium. It was the Pirates who struck first, however, an interception from a Coventry pass being finished superbly by Matty Ward, who stepped his way to the line. 27–19.
With the gap cut to eight, Coventry responded emphatically. After several minutes of sustained possession, Ferrie broke through once more, finishing under the posts to restore breathing space. A crucial moment that reasserted control. 34–19.
The Pirates refused to go quietly. A string of Coventry penalties allowed them back into the 22, and Buster Rice eventually powered over from close range to keep the contest alive. 34–26.
The closing stages became a battle of resolve and pride, but the final say belonged to the hosts. Api Bavadra sliced through the defence with a brilliant 50-metre break before the ball was worked back to Ewan Baker, who finished in style.
The final whistle confirmed a 41–26 victory- Coventry’s fifth bonus-point win in succession. A superb run of form that keeps the momentum rolling firmly towards the playoff places. With a short break in the Champ Rugby schedule now ahead, the Cov Dogs head into the New Year full of confidence.
Man of the Match – Allan Ferrie was outstanding throughout. From big defensive hits to two well-taken tries, the back row delivered an all-action performance. Growing in influence with each week, he is becoming an ever-present force in the Coventry pack.
Goal kicking
Josh Thomas- 2/4
Tommy Mathews- 2/3
Arwell Robson-2/3
Lewis Sinclair- 1/1
Try Scorers:
Coventry Rugby- Allan Ferrie (2’, 55’), Peter Sullivan (12’), Aristot Benz-Salomon (31’), Senitiki Nayalo (40’), Ewan Baker (78’)
Cornish Pirates- Dan Hiscocks (15’), Josh King (19’), Matty Ward (52’)
Line-ups:
Coventry Rugby- Aristot Benz-Salomon, Jordon Poole ©, Matt Johnson, Dan Green, Senitiki Nayalo, Allan Ferrie, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong, Sam Maunder, Josh Thomas, Peter Sullivan, Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Ewan Baker, Tom Bacon
Finishers: Murray Davidson, Keston Lines, Mikey Summerfield, Jack Shine, Api Bavandra, Tom Miles, Tommy Mathews, David Opoku-Fordjour
Cornish Pirates- Alessandro Heaney, Sol Moody, Alfie Petch, Buster Rice, Alfie Bell, Rory Suttor, Josh King, Tomiwa Agbongbon, Dan Hiscocks ©, Arwell Robson, Matty Ward, Harry Yates, Zack Wimbush, Arthur Relton, Iwan Price-Thomas
Finishers: Pritchard, Young, French, Hallam, Ratcliff, Rigelsford, Sinclair, Elderkin
