Exeter Edge Cov in 70-Pointer at the BPA in Final Preseason Outing

by Alex Didlick

The Butts Park Arena played host to a fitting final pre-season clash as Coventry and Exeter went toe-to-toe in a game that never let up. From ferocious mauls to slick handling and powerful runs the contest had it all in a game that swung back and forth before being clinched at the death by Exeter. Coventry, however, showed enough talent and grit to suggest they’re more than ready for the season ahead. 

Coventry flew out of the blocks, scoring within the first half dozen minutes. With Exeter’s early game discipline faltering, the big lads understood the assignment, powering a maul from 10 metres out over the line, Aristot Benz-Solomon happily placing the ball over the line. 

From there, another Coventry penalty from a scrum on halfway, put the lads back into the Exeter 22. Yet again, the maul made inroads handing the hosts important yards and stressing the Exeter defensive structure. Sam Mauder took advantage of this, showing sharp vision with a clever grubber into the Exe five-metre channel, perfectly weighted for Morgan Adderly-Jones to pounce on. Scoring right under the posts.

With all the momentum in Coventry hands, Exeter wrestled back impressively with some excellent mauling of their own. After several gritty phases, the Chiefs’ resilience was rewarded as Charlie Bell crashed over to announce themselves in the contest. 

If the first 15 minutes was owned by Coventry the next 10 was certainly at Exeter’s say so with Coventry doing well to maintain the lead heading into the final quarter of the half. 

The final 10 minutes ebbed and flowed like the swirling conditions overhead. Cov produced 2 or 3 slick handling moves that were only a pass away from big territorial gains.  But again, to their credit Exeter stuck by them. Exeter’s Oscar Beckerleg sparked life into the visitors with a daring last minute line break, setting the platform for Harry Price to score just a few phases later. The late swing ensured the team’s headed off the pitch just as they started, level at the break 14-14. 

Riding the wave of a raucous Butts Park faithful, Coventry again started the half fast. Suva Ma’asi bundled over the line in ruthless fashion to retake the lead for Cov. However, Chiefs weren’t about to fold, responding almost immediately with territory gains of their own. Captain Louie Gulley dotted down under the posts to rebalance the contest on 46 minutes, restoring parity. 

The pace of the contest refused to relent, with possession trading hands rapidly. Coventry made the most of it mind you. A quick tap-and-go penalty was converted into points by a spirited Dan Green. The hosts did very well to continue to be the team commanding the contest throughout and well-placed heading into the final third of the contest. 

However, just when Cov would have liked to run away with it the chiefs hit back in the 65^th minute. Their pressure rewarded when Sol Moody powered over despite some noteworthy last ditch defending by Cov. It was becoming the story of the contest, time and time again Coventry managed to take the lead, but the Premiership outfit refused to be shaken off. And so, it continued in the 67^thminute with another productive maul left Exeter scrambling. Replacement 9, Josh Barton did well to duck and dive his way over the line.

But once again, Chiefs couldn’t be shaken. Collecting their own restart, they stormed downfield before Moody finished in the corner for his second of the half. 

Tensions boiled over on 75 minutes as Gulley and Suva Ma’asi clashed, leaving both sides to finish with 14 men. As the game ticked into the dying embers it was Chiefs who took the lead for the first time in the contest. Leaving it to the7 9^th minute, Sol Moody completed a second half hat trick to snatch the win for the away outfit. 

The Chiefs will drive back down the M5 delighted to have won the contest, but Coventry can be very proud of themselves today. With just a touch more accuracy in some crucial moments it could have easily been the hosts celebrating victory. Despite the result, it was a captivating contest at the BPA and the perfect tune-up ahead of the trip to Sixways in two weeks’ time.

Final Score: Coventry Rugby 35-40 Exeter Chiefs

Try scorers: 

Coventry RFC: Aristot Benz-Salomon (6), Morgan Adderly-Jones (13), Suva Ma’asi (41), Dan Green (51), Josh Barton (67)

Exeter Chiefs: Charlie Bell (16), Harry Price (40), Louie Gulley (46), Sol Moody (65^th), Sol Moody (70^th), Sol Moody (78^th)

Conversions:

Josh Thomas- 4/4

Tommy Mathews 1/1

Lineups

Coventry RFC: Aristot Benz-Salomon, Jordon Poole, Matt Johnson, Dan Green, Senitiki Nayalo, Mackenzie Graham, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong, Sam Maunder, Josh Thomas, Api Bavadra, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Oli Morris, Peter Sullivan, Tom Bacon

Replacements: Keston Lines, Toby Trinder, Suva Ma’asi, Eliot Salt, Jack Shine, Dylan Morris, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Chester Owen, Josh Barton, Tommy Mathews, Dafydd Rhys-Tiueti, Taio Varndell

Exeter chiefs: Ethan Burger, Louie Gulley (c), Caleb Ashworth, Alfie Bell, Oscar Beckerleg, Luke Evans, Charlie Bell, Harry Price, Tom Cairns, Will Haydon-Wood, Zack Wimbush, Will Rigg, Harry Ascherl, Noah Fenton, Jed Findlay 

Replacements: Sol Moody, Josh Mann, Ben Woodmansley, Seth Findlay, Elijah Taylor, James Howard, Iwan Jenkins, Nic Allison, Israel Akinrowo, Kian Gentry