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If
Lions were to go all season and only win one game, then the team that any
supporter would want to beat is Coventry. Unfortunately, Lions turned in
a totally inept performance that allowed a fairly ordinary Coventry outfit
to dominate every phase of the game and run out easy winners.
Phil Reed started at scrum half with James Baker at full back. There was
a welcome return for Shed favourite Tim Stannard after a lengthy injury
lay off.
Lions were penalised almost from the kick off, and a quick tap saw the Cov
forwards drive the ball 30 metres to the Lions’ line where desperate
defending held them up. As the ball was moved infield, Lions were caught
offside under the posts and Luke Smith converted the simple 3 points. ( 3
– 0 ).
The
signs were looking ominous as the Lions’ scrum was pushed about at will by
their Cov counterparts, but even more worrying was Lions’ inability to win
any lineout ball. Lions’ frustrations boiled over as a Cov player was
left lying prone at a maul, and Tim Stannard was dispatched to the bin
following the intervention of the touch judge.
Cov
wasted a couple of good opportunities through over elaboration in the
backs, but then their forwards drove Lions back but knocked on as they
went for the line. Cov were penalised at the resultant scrum and Phil
Reed took a quick tap and danced through the Cov defence. With only the
full back to beat, Phil attempted a kick ahead, but unfortunately only
managed to place the ball firmly into Simon Brocklehurst’s midriff, and
the full back raced through a disorganised Lions’ defence to score under
the posts. That just about summed up Lions’ season!! Luke Smith added
the simple conversion. ( 10 – 0 ).
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Lions had played the first 20 minutes with hardly any
possession at all. However, when Jon Boden set up an attacking
position with a lovely penalty to the corner, Lions did not waste the
opportunity. A good lineout take by Tristan Prosser-Shaw saw the ball
moved wide for James Baker to pop up on the wing and power in despite
the cover. Jon Boden’s touchline conversion attempt was just wide in
the blustery wind. ( 10 – 5 ). |
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Bakers first |
A
bullocking run by Steve Smith ended with the scrum put in to Cov…..the
referee not really giving the Lions’ number 8 a chance to present the
ball. A simple pick up from the scrum and two inside passes saw Tigger
Dawson with a clear run to the posts for an easy score. Luke Smith added
the conversion. ( 17 – 5 ).
Lions were still struggling to win any possession of note, but when
scrappy ball was secured from a scrum on their own line. Jon Boden looked
to run clear but was felled by a high tackle. The referee ignored the
offence (as he did several other similar offences by both sides), and
Lions managed to scramble the ball clear with Jon Boden lying in a heap.
Cov
drove in from the lineout, and a score looked inevitable, until Steve
Smith miraculously burst clear from the maul with the ball, and the danger
was cleared as Cov were penalised. Lions at last enjoyed a spell of
possession, but there seemed no pattern to their play, and twice players
were isolated as breaks were made but no support was on hand, allowing Cov
to steal the ball on both occasions.
On
40 minutes, Cov stole another Lions’ lineout on their own 22, and a long
pass from Luke Smith put Simon Martin through the gap and under the posts
with Lions’ defence looking on. Luke Smith added the conversion. ( 24 –
5 ).
In
the 5th minute of injury time, yet another lost Lions’ line saw
Kurt Johnson bursting through the middle to send Jordan Hands in at the
corner. Luke Smith added a superb touchline conversion as the referee
blew for half time.
Half time
Coventry 31 Lions 5
Phil Greenbury and Glen Carson replaced Richard Tarrant and Simon Black in
a bid to bolster Lions’ under pressure front row. A knock on from the
kick off by Mick Curtis gave Lions an early attacking position, but they
lacked any sort of penetration and were eventually penalised for holding
on in the tackle. Cov swept upfield, and when Lions were penalised in
front of their posts, Luke Smith converted the 3 points on offer. ( 34 –
5 ).
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James Baker pulled off a lovely try saving tackle on
Kurt Johnson in full flight, but the inevitable score was not long in
coming. Cov won a lineout and simple passing and backing up saw
Tigger Dawson cross by the posts. Luke Smith added the simple
conversion. ( 41 – 5 ).
Lions were still living off scraps of possession, but a
lovely move where they stretched Cov left, then moved the ball back
right, saw Alex Taylor deliver the final overhead pass for James Baker
to juggle the ball before taking it and crashing over in the corner.
Jon Boden’s conversion was well wide. ( 41 – 10 ).
Toby Handley replaced Tigger Dawson for Cov, whilst for
Lions Ben Wheeler came on for Jimmi Fornoni.
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Taylor to Baker |
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Bakers 2nd |
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A lovely catch under pressure by Simon Brocklehurst
from a Jon Boden “bomb” saw Cov launch a counter attack. Good hands
and excellent backing up worked the opening for Danny Collins to take
the final pass with the line at his mercy. With a triumphal wave to
the crowd, he headed for the line, but hadn’t counted on James Baker
tracking back and hitting him from behind with a devastating tackle
that saw the flanker unable to ground the ball. Oh how we all larfed!!!
It was worth the exorbitant £12 admission (with no program!!), just to
see that. |
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Danny Collins -
premature ejaculation celebration |
However, Lions’ chuckles were short-lived, as Cov secured the inevitable
possession from the resultant scrum for the impressive Kurt Johnson to
power over in the clubhouse corner. Luke Smith rubbed salt in the wound
with another superb touchline conversion. ( 48 – 10 ).
Lions now seemed to lose heart, and non-existent midfield tackling allowed
Kurt Johnson to burst through again. Toby Handley carried on the move,
and he managed to slip the ball clear under Phil Reed’s covering tackle
for Jordan Hands to stroll over. Luke Smith’s conversion was just wide.
( 53 – 10 ).
Richard List replaced Rhys Williams at hooker as Cov also made several
changes. A beautifully judged penalty to the corner by Jon Boden set up a
rare Lions’ attacking opportunity. This time Tristan Prosser-Shaw secured
possession from a shortened line-out, and a determined burst down the
middle from Steve Smith almost brought the score that the big number 8
deserved for his afternoon’s efforts.
However, the Cov defence held, and when possession was surrendered, more
woeful Lions’ tackling saw Shaun Brady burst through and feed Dave Campton
for another simple try. Luke Smith’s conversion was wide. (58 – 10 ).
Eddie Saunders took the field as replacement for James Baker to an
appreciative reception from the Shed, who couldn’t believe the old
favourite was still going…….neither could the Lions’ supporters!!
There was just time for Kurt Smith to give the Cov supporters something
more to shout about as he burst through more dreadful Lions’ tackling to
score. Luke Smith’s conversion was wide.
Final result:
Coventry 63 Lions 10 |
