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Lions ended the year on a disappointing losing note, but the result of
this game was of secondary importance to the fact that several long term
injury absentees came through the game looking battered, bruised, and
knackered, but fit for selection for the New Year battle for Division 1
survival.
Lions had Paul Bale, no stranger to Webb Ellis Road, guesting on the wing,
and Harvey Biljon on “loan” from Wasps at scrum half. It was good to see
Sam Tovo, and Ben Smith back in action, and it was even better to see
Steve Smith start his first game of the season.
Kick off was delayed by 10 minutes to allow people outside to get in.
No…..there were not hordes of people clamouring to get in through
overworked turnstiles……apparently the pay stations ran out of pound coins
(admission was £6) and people had to queue to receive their change before
they were allowed in!!
The
game itself was a dour affair…..full of Christmas pudding without the
brandy sauce. There was the inevitable mass brawl not long after the kick
off, and the niggle continued as the referee contributed to a stop / start
game, taking great delight in blowing his whistle at every opportunity.
It must have been a new one from Santa.
Lions had the first opportunity to put points on the board, but Jon Boden
pushed his 40 metres penalty wide. It was Cov who swept back downfield
and a delicate chip over the defence was recovered, and good support play
put Shaun Brady in at the corner. Cris Berti’s conversion was well wide.
( 5 – 0 ).
Following yet another fracas, Sam Tovo and Luke Andrews were dispatched to
the bin to cool down. I think Sam was just looking for a breather!! Cov
were soon down to 13 men as Jordan Hands was shown the yellow card for
picking Phil Reed up as he broke down the right, and depositing him on his
head.
A
concerted spell of Lions pressure followed, with Harvey Biljon tackled
into touch on the corner flag after a good move down the right. From the
line, Lions disrupted the Coventry catch to secure possession. When the
ball was moved infield, Jon Boden dummied his way under the posts and
tagged on the conversion. ( 5 – 7 ).
The
remainder of the half saw Coventry pressing hard, but Lions defence held
firm.
Half time
Coventry 5 Lions 7
Lions brought Glen Carson on for Simon Black, and hooker John Barratt,
also “on loan” from Wasps, replaced Rhys Williams. James Baker, another
long-term absentee, took over from Alex Williams on the wing.
Lions started well displaying good ball retention, and they soon extended
their lead as Phil Reed broke down the right after good interplay between
forwards and backs. As the cover came across, Phil deftly chipped the
ball infield where Jon Boden just won the race to touch down. However,
his conversion was again wide from a very kickable position. ( 5 – 12 ).
Cov
swiftly replied as a penalty was dispatched to the corner, and the drive
from the line-out was unstoppable, with replacement Trent McMurray
claiming the touchdown. Cris Berti’s conversion was wide. ( 10 – 12 ).
Lions made a couple of changes with Ryan Banks replacing Ben Smith and
David Bates taking over from Alex Taylor in the centre. I don’t know
anything about David Bates, and we didn’t have long to find anything out
as his first real contribution to the game was to get himself sin binned
for what looked like foul play.
Tom
Hayman hobbled off to be replaced by Ben Smith coming back on, whilst Cov
brought on the cavalry in the shape of Dave Addleton, Mark Tinnock and
Mike Mika.
Cov’s rejuvenated pack were now bossing things, and all the play was in
Lions’ 22. The inevitable score came when the ball was moved wide and
Simon Brocklehurst crashed over in the corner despite the attentions of
James Baker and Phil Reed, both of whom were hurt in the tackle. Cris
Berti’s delayed conversion as the Lions’ players received attention was
short and wide. ( 15 – 12).
Lions were now running everything, but handling errors and some strange
refereeing decisions saw them pegged in their own half. After missing
several forward passes (by both sides), the referee called Lions back as
they broke in midfield. From the resultant scrum Cov attacked down the
right to seal victory with a try from James Black. To rub salt in the
wound, Cris Berti slotted the conversion as the referee blew for full
time.
Final result:
Coventry 22 Lions 12
Don's musings
It
is always disappointing to lose, especially against Cov, but it was good
to see several long term absentees returning to the fray. Team selection
should now be very interesting with Rob Hurrell, Steve Smith, Tom Hayman,
Tim Stannard, Sam Tovo, Ben Smith, Tristan Prosser-Shaw, Ben Wheeler and
Ryan Banks vying for back 5 places. Whoever starts, Lions will know that
they have quality replacements sitting on the bench, and competition for
places can only be good for the team.
There are also some exciting options in the backs. Jon Boden is improving
with every game. James Baker and Phil Reed offer pace outside, with a
perm any 2 from 5 in the centre with Stuart Potter, Jon Roper, Jason
Critchley, Jacques Steyn and Alex Taylor. With Matt Vines at full back
and Aadel Kardooni at scrum half, again the options are varied.
The
one area of concern is the scrum where week after week we seem to have our
own put in disrupted with the resultant loss of vital possession. Phil
Greenbury, Glen Carson, Simon Black, Richard Tarrant, and Necky Mee have
toiled manfully at prop, but it is here where the team probably needs
strengthening. Oh for a Perry Freshwater……or 2!!! Any one of Richard
List, Rhys Williams and Marek Kwisiuk will do the job at hooker.
On
paper, Lions have the team to start to pull things round in the New Year,
and in the Judge we have the coach to make it happen. The season starts
against Orrell on 3rd January. They will be on a high after
their heroics against Northampton in the cup, but Lions have to forget
about this and concentrate on their own game. There is an excellent team
in there somewhere just bursting to get out……..let’s hope it starts
hammering on the door against Orrell. |
