Saturday Nov 8th 2008

Coventrians 6 - 6 Stoke Old Boys

Battling Covents Make Their Point

Coventrians played host to Stoke Old Boys and entertained their own “old boys” in this Midlands 5 West (South) fixture that was the proverbial game of two halves. With over fifty ex-players watching, Covents battled back from a 6-0 half-time deficit to take the game to Stoke in the second forty, draw level and feel unlucky not to have snatched victory near the end. Having said that, a draw was a fair result as the two packs slugged it out and solid tackling from both sides kept the game tight.

Stoke drew first blood in the 4th minute by slotting a penalty after a Covents’ offside and they proceeded to camp in our half, doubling their lead in the 35th minute to go in at the break, 6-0 up with Kev Walters (tit of the match) yellow carded on the stroke of half-time.

After 42 minutes, Covents signalled their new found intent with a Phil Jones drop goal attempt that stirred the large contingent of geriatrics in the “Grecian 2000” stand. This was followed a minute later by a penalty from Scrappy that again, looked good but drifted just wide. In the 53rd minute, concerted Covents pressure, driving and rucking frustrated the away side resulting in a small outbreak of handbags in what was a fairly clean game.

Two minutes later and another chance went begging as Phil Jones sent a penalty just wide again. Covents were turning the screw though and it was their turn to occupy Stoke’s half. All their possession paid dividends in the 59th minute as Phil Jones sent a good kick over to make the score line 3-6 with the blue and whites in the ascendancy. Ten minutes later Covents forced a lineout on Stoke’s try line but couldn’t breach the maroon and white’s defence but with their confidence and energy levels growing Covents surged forward again and again to put Stoke under pressure. This pressure paid off in the 73rd minute as Phil Jones sent over a second successful penalty to pull level, 6 all.

It was around this time that Covents unleashed their secret weapon from the bench as none other than Wayne Branford came on to roll back the years and show us all what we’d missed. Fortified by six brandies and one pint (click here to see the maestro) not even he could prevent Stoke making a late bid for glory though, as they ran dangerously at us in the 82nd minute. Their little winger could sniff the line but Rowan Aitken hit him like a runaway freight train, almost cutting him in half with a monster hit.

At the whistle the home side were the happier having finished the stronger and Stoke seemed gutted to have only drawn at “lowly Coventrians” but as this league has proved before, there’s no such thing as just “turn up and win.” Congrats to the lads again for another performance full of guts and passion and solid tackling in a draw that felt like a win. Carl Thornton was man of the match for another immense performance but every one in a blue and white shirt deserved a pat on the back. Click here for photos


Old Boy’s Reunion

What a turn out! At the last count, 54 ex players (including 5 presidents - thanks brown nose Lee Pegler!) made it to the club for what has to be the best “old farts” day yet. It was especially good to see Ted Campbell, John Coombs, and John Waddingham (oldest living Covent?) The beer flowed and the banter was ribald – we enjoyed romantic singing and eloquent Shakespeare from Francis P McCullough the Canley Bard – Red Brown’s “Alouette” and songs sung to Tatey’s guitar. A great day and night was had by all which left us reaching for the paracetamol this morning.

Roll of honour – Glyn Barrett, Wayne Branford, Red Brown, Bryan & Mark Campbell, Ted Campbell, Nick Castle, Mick Clancy, Andy Cooke, John Coombes, Geoff Cousins, Steve Fish, Pikey Fisher, Geoff Giles, Giz Gisbourne, Dick Griffiths, Mike Groves, Graham Hancock, Derek Hawes, Pete Henderson, Robbie Hopkins, Gaz Hughes, Simon Hull, Pete Jackson, John & Rich Kenny, Spanner Lindon, Trevor Lyon, Brian Manley, Ron McBride, Frank McCullough, Terry Mosey, Lee Pegler, Steve, Bob & Jeff Platt, Stuart Rendall, Phil Rowles, Al Sagoo, Steve Springate, Sean Stanton, Tony Super, Steve Tate, Martin Trenholm, John Troth, John Waddinham, Rich Walters, Stuart Whitehead, John Wilson, Mick Winterton, Mick & Jon Woodward.

For photos click here

Stoke Old Boys 2nds 24 - 12 Coventrians 2nds

Playing for most of the match with thirteen against fifteen the seconds once again performed above and beyond the call of duty. This game marked "Da Digbeth Digger's Debut" (Anthony Kelly) and he graced it by scoring from the flank (no doubt to Mr Carter's delight) with Sam Collinson converting. The lads went in at half-time 17 - 7 down and carried on where they left off with a second half try from Monsieur Alex le magnifique but finally went down fighting by 12 points.

Dick has asked me to praise every one of the lads but mentioned Rob Hollyman's tackling at centre (he's normally a lock) and Sam Holtam at scrum half (he's normally a wing forward) in dispatches.