Post by Jamie Crawford on Nov 13, 2023 11:29:16 GMT
Coventry RFC preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 4, Saturday 18th November, Butts Park Arena, Coventry. KO 3.00pm
Saturday’s game sees two of the Championship’s stalwart teams do battle at Butts Park Arena. Can the Knights maintain their unbeaten status or will Cov begin their rise up the Championship table? Cov are currently mid-table with a game in hand over the 5 teams above them.
Cov fly half Pat Pellegrini played for Tonga in the World Cup in France.
New players.
Lock Rhys Anstey from Ealing Trailfinders has joined on a season-long loan.
Second row forward Obinna Nkwocha signed from Premiership finalists Saracens
Former England back row International Matt Kvesic was recruited from Italian side Zebre Parma after the collapse of Worcester Warriors.
Back-row Jack Bartlett was given a contract from Gloucester via Lydney RFC. He joined the Gloucester Rugby player development pathway programme aged 12. Since then, he went on to represent England at both U18 and 20 level, before making his professional debut for Gloucester in the Premiership Cup in 2018.
Winger, Ryan Hutler flew over from the newly crowned Championship winners, Jersey Reds. A move that I’m sure Hutler is glad he made after the unfortunate demise of the Reds.
Tighthead prop Eliot Salt graduated his ‘rugby colours’ from Cardiff Met university RFC by becoming a professional rugby player for Cov.
Coventry are one of the most powerful and ambitious clubs in the Championship but they surprisingly lost 34-24 at Ampthill’s Dillingham Park in Bedfordshire last time out. Utility back Louis James scored early for Cov but it wasn’t added to until the second half. Hooker Jordon Poole, right wing Ryan Hutler and left wing Jimmy Martin were the quickfire try-scorers for Cov who then led 20-19 at the hour mark (3 tries in 6 second-half minutes). This meant that Cov only had a try bonus point to show for their efforts. Fully professional Cov will be smarting at the loss to semi-professional Ampthill.
The Knights need to be wary of new flying winger Ryan Hutler. Ex-Jersey Red Hutler has scored 8 of Cov’s 29 tries to date. That equates to 28%; over a quarter of their tries scored by 1 player! Particularly Hutler has been practicing cross kicks and this paid off in his latest home score from a sliding ‘trap’ of a Pat Pellegrini kick-pass against Caldy.
A fortnight ago the Knights overcame a 0-12 deficit after 5 minutes to beat Nottingham 30-19. First half tries were scored by Knight centre Connor Edwards and number eight Harry Wilson, second half tries were scored by flanker Rhys Tait and then by fly half Sam Olver who joined a maul on Nottingham’s line. Knight forwards were the key strength and 15 penalties were won again the Green & Whites, predominantly by forward strength.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
Friday 17th November
London Scottish (11) v Ampthill (3)
Nottingham (4) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Saturday 18th November
Cambridge (9) v Hartpury University (10)
Cornish Pirates (8) v Caldy (7)
Coventry (6) v Doncaster Knights (2)
The following teams have only played 2 games to the rest’s 3 games:
Cornish Pirates, Coventry & London Scottish.
(There are 11 teams since Jersey’s sad departure.)
After 3 games only Trailfinders & the Knights remain unbeaten, can Nottingham or Coventry prevent this purple patch from reaching 4 games?
Although Trailfinders have scored 30 more points than the Knights, we have conceded 5 fewer points.
It’s still too early to look at league standings but we’re 2nd!
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 4, Saturday 18th November, Butts Park Arena, Coventry. KO 3.00pm
Saturday’s game sees two of the Championship’s stalwart teams do battle at Butts Park Arena. Can the Knights maintain their unbeaten status or will Cov begin their rise up the Championship table? Cov are currently mid-table with a game in hand over the 5 teams above them.
Cov fly half Pat Pellegrini played for Tonga in the World Cup in France.
New players.
Lock Rhys Anstey from Ealing Trailfinders has joined on a season-long loan.
Second row forward Obinna Nkwocha signed from Premiership finalists Saracens
Former England back row International Matt Kvesic was recruited from Italian side Zebre Parma after the collapse of Worcester Warriors.
Back-row Jack Bartlett was given a contract from Gloucester via Lydney RFC. He joined the Gloucester Rugby player development pathway programme aged 12. Since then, he went on to represent England at both U18 and 20 level, before making his professional debut for Gloucester in the Premiership Cup in 2018.
Winger, Ryan Hutler flew over from the newly crowned Championship winners, Jersey Reds. A move that I’m sure Hutler is glad he made after the unfortunate demise of the Reds.
Tighthead prop Eliot Salt graduated his ‘rugby colours’ from Cardiff Met university RFC by becoming a professional rugby player for Cov.
Coventry are one of the most powerful and ambitious clubs in the Championship but they surprisingly lost 34-24 at Ampthill’s Dillingham Park in Bedfordshire last time out. Utility back Louis James scored early for Cov but it wasn’t added to until the second half. Hooker Jordon Poole, right wing Ryan Hutler and left wing Jimmy Martin were the quickfire try-scorers for Cov who then led 20-19 at the hour mark (3 tries in 6 second-half minutes). This meant that Cov only had a try bonus point to show for their efforts. Fully professional Cov will be smarting at the loss to semi-professional Ampthill.
The Knights need to be wary of new flying winger Ryan Hutler. Ex-Jersey Red Hutler has scored 8 of Cov’s 29 tries to date. That equates to 28%; over a quarter of their tries scored by 1 player! Particularly Hutler has been practicing cross kicks and this paid off in his latest home score from a sliding ‘trap’ of a Pat Pellegrini kick-pass against Caldy.
A fortnight ago the Knights overcame a 0-12 deficit after 5 minutes to beat Nottingham 30-19. First half tries were scored by Knight centre Connor Edwards and number eight Harry Wilson, second half tries were scored by flanker Rhys Tait and then by fly half Sam Olver who joined a maul on Nottingham’s line. Knight forwards were the key strength and 15 penalties were won again the Green & Whites, predominantly by forward strength.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
Friday 17th November
London Scottish (11) v Ampthill (3)
Nottingham (4) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Saturday 18th November
Cambridge (9) v Hartpury University (10)
Cornish Pirates (8) v Caldy (7)
Coventry (6) v Doncaster Knights (2)
The following teams have only played 2 games to the rest’s 3 games:
Cornish Pirates, Coventry & London Scottish.
(There are 11 teams since Jersey’s sad departure.)
After 3 games only Trailfinders & the Knights remain unbeaten, can Nottingham or Coventry prevent this purple patch from reaching 4 games?
Although Trailfinders have scored 30 more points than the Knights, we have conceded 5 fewer points.
It’s still too early to look at league standings but we’re 2nd!
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
