Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 26, 2024 14:29:34 GMT
Coventry Preview
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Doncaster Knights v Coventry Rugby, Saturday 2nd March. KO 2.30pm
The resurgent second-placed Knights face a stern test when they welcome third-placed Coventry to Castle Park. Just one win to the Knights over the 12 games played separates the teams. The teams have equal league points courtesy of Cov’s 4 extra bonus points but the extra win places the Knights above Coventry.
Cov have scored 46 more points than the Knights (3.8/game) and conceded 38 fewer points (3.2/game). Cov have scored 5 more tries than the Knights and are the second top try-scorers plus they have conceded 7 fewer tries. They have the Championship’s fourth strongest defence of their try line.
Cov fly half Patrick Pellegrini is the Championship’s top points scorer. Cov wingers James Martin and Ryan Hutler are both the equal-fourth top try scorers. Centre Will Rigg and hooker Jordan Poole are both equal-eleventh. The lessons for the Knights are to not give away kickable penalties, to be wary of Poole darting from behind the set piece near the try line but mainly to be wary of Cov shipping the ball out wide to their flying wingers.
It turns out that Rigg is not a threat because he signed for and departed to Exeter earlier this month.
The Knights travelled to Butts Park Arena last November apparently in the wrong frame of mind due to a player being injured in their last training session before the game and the team had to alter formation and styles of play. They were heavily beaten by Cov 51-7. Cov are not known to be gracious in victory, which winds the Knights up. Hence, they have a score to settle (literally), so expect an outstanding performance by the Knights.
Last Friday the Knights enjoyed a 14-20 success at the boggy Bay under the lights against Nottingham. The try count was 2-3, with Knight back row Harry Wilson, wing Jack Metcalf and back row Fyn Brown dotting the ball down. Cov welcomed Ampthill to their Butts Park Arena and won comfortably 34-6. They crossed the line 5 times and kept Ampthill short of the line, confining them to two penalty kicks. Cov full back Tobi Wilson, wing James Martin (twice), hooker Jordan Poole and centre Will Wand were the scorers. Sorry but it’s got to be said that apparently wing James Martin is also a mean chef! Bet he’s never heard that before.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
All Saturday 18th November
Ampthill (8) v London Scottish (11)
Caldy (9) v Cornish Pirates (4)
Doncaster Knights (2) v Coventry (3)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Nottingham (7)
Hartpury University (6) v Cambridge (10)
Bedford Blues (5) were due to play Jersey Reds.
The Knights, Cov, Bedford, Hartpury, Caldy and Cambridge have played 12 games.
Trailfinders, the Pirates, Nottingham and Ampthill have played 11 games.
The Scottish exiles have only played 10 games.
A Knight W would see us remain in second place but more convincingly because there would be 4 or 5 points between us and Cov.
A Knight D would again see us remain second because we’ll have drawn with third.
A Knight L could see us drop to fourth if the Pirates win.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Doncaster Knights v Coventry Rugby, Saturday 2nd March. KO 2.30pm
The resurgent second-placed Knights face a stern test when they welcome third-placed Coventry to Castle Park. Just one win to the Knights over the 12 games played separates the teams. The teams have equal league points courtesy of Cov’s 4 extra bonus points but the extra win places the Knights above Coventry.
Cov have scored 46 more points than the Knights (3.8/game) and conceded 38 fewer points (3.2/game). Cov have scored 5 more tries than the Knights and are the second top try-scorers plus they have conceded 7 fewer tries. They have the Championship’s fourth strongest defence of their try line.
Cov fly half Patrick Pellegrini is the Championship’s top points scorer. Cov wingers James Martin and Ryan Hutler are both the equal-fourth top try scorers. Centre Will Rigg and hooker Jordan Poole are both equal-eleventh. The lessons for the Knights are to not give away kickable penalties, to be wary of Poole darting from behind the set piece near the try line but mainly to be wary of Cov shipping the ball out wide to their flying wingers.
It turns out that Rigg is not a threat because he signed for and departed to Exeter earlier this month.
The Knights travelled to Butts Park Arena last November apparently in the wrong frame of mind due to a player being injured in their last training session before the game and the team had to alter formation and styles of play. They were heavily beaten by Cov 51-7. Cov are not known to be gracious in victory, which winds the Knights up. Hence, they have a score to settle (literally), so expect an outstanding performance by the Knights.
Last Friday the Knights enjoyed a 14-20 success at the boggy Bay under the lights against Nottingham. The try count was 2-3, with Knight back row Harry Wilson, wing Jack Metcalf and back row Fyn Brown dotting the ball down. Cov welcomed Ampthill to their Butts Park Arena and won comfortably 34-6. They crossed the line 5 times and kept Ampthill short of the line, confining them to two penalty kicks. Cov full back Tobi Wilson, wing James Martin (twice), hooker Jordan Poole and centre Will Wand were the scorers. Sorry but it’s got to be said that apparently wing James Martin is also a mean chef! Bet he’s never heard that before.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
All Saturday 18th November
Ampthill (8) v London Scottish (11)
Caldy (9) v Cornish Pirates (4)
Doncaster Knights (2) v Coventry (3)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Nottingham (7)
Hartpury University (6) v Cambridge (10)
Bedford Blues (5) were due to play Jersey Reds.
The Knights, Cov, Bedford, Hartpury, Caldy and Cambridge have played 12 games.
Trailfinders, the Pirates, Nottingham and Ampthill have played 11 games.
The Scottish exiles have only played 10 games.
A Knight W would see us remain in second place but more convincingly because there would be 4 or 5 points between us and Cov.
A Knight D would again see us remain second because we’ll have drawn with third.
A Knight L could see us drop to fourth if the Pirates win.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
