Saturday 10th October 2009

Warwickian 8 - 34 Coventrians Mids 5 West (S East)

Our all time league record v Old Warwickians is P19 W8 L11 and v Warwickian P8 W6 L2 so in total, P27 W14 L13. In our 1987/88 championship winning season the only game we lost that season was at O W 9-10 under controversial circumstances on 10th October 1987 (so 22 years to the day). Clayton Flick with a try, conversion and a penalty scored the points. The last time we played at Warwickian we won 50-8 on the 12th April 2008.

Debut Try the Icing on Covents Cake

Covents came away from Warwickian with a convincing win in an often scrappy and niggly game. There was also some role reversal as our usually omnipotent pack spent 40 minutes on the back foot and we played our best rugby in the first-half for a change.

So from the kick off it became apparent that with three regulars missing (supersize me, where were you?) Covents eight were not going to have it all their own way against a bigger home pack as the latter turned ball over in the 2nd minute. Then in the 4th minute, Covents scrum-half Tom Gough went down with a blood curdling scream that sent Monkey sprinting on fearing a dislocated head or broken spine. Turns out it was just a bit of trapped wind and after a good belch he was fine.

From the base, in the 5th minute, 73 year old Dick Potter surged forward, went to ground and Simon Needles, on a trademark ball in one hand glide, beat four defenders before being held up on the line. From the recycle, captain Cozzy dotted down under the posts leaving Deadeye Douglas to slot for 7-0. So with the forwards struggling for supremacy the backs took it upon themselves to set the tone and we nearly scored again after Ryan Gilbert got a gallop on and Lenny (damn he looks like a young John Kenny) aka Leonard Frederick Michael Pitt was nearly in on a crash move which he unfortunately dropped.

After some good work from D J driving from the flank we somehow gave a penalty away in the 16th minute and Warwickian slotted for 7-3. Three minutes later it did not matter as more good work from D J (with a pass inside) via Goughy put young John Kenny in to finish off a good looking move which Deadeye sent over for 14-3. Covents were now hunting and could smell blood in the water as good work from Potter Snr allowed Deadeye a deft kick which the Warwickian winger only just palmed into touch with Rohan breathing down his neck.

This resulted in a tap penalty on their line and from the resulting melee; the Warwickian No 6 found himself lying on the wrong side and received a good dose of Riverdance from Cozzy. When he protested, Cozzy bent down and said in no uncertain terms, I say old bean, perhaps you could refrain from taking such inconvenient positions in future then! Deadeye slotted the penalty for 17-3 as lots of silly yap broke out from the home ranks (mostly 6 and 10). In fact Springy and myself were accused of being too old to play the game; well no shit Sherlock, when did you get the first clue? As Tony Super once famously said, Anno Domini (not a pizza) and it happens to us all one day (except the evergreen Woz & Dick Potter it seems)

In the 28th minute a home penalty kick dropped short and Covents broke out with Dick Potter, Simon Needles and Deadeye all linking to put Chris Potter away with afterburners glowing. Chris was nearly in and passing to Rohan, saw him spill the pill on the line allowing Warwickian another let off. On 32 minutes a Covents penalty was marched forward 10 due to more silly yawping from an increasingly ill disciplined home side (remember the days when you opened your trap and your skipper gave you a dig?) and from the tap, scrum-half Tom Gough popped up behind enemy lines to dot down. Deadeye slotted unerringly and Covents had a very comfortable 24-3 lead.

As often happens, the losing side rally and the last few minutes of the half saw Covents defending solidly on their own line the highlight of which was a fine enveloping tackle from Rohan to hold a would be Warwickian scorer up on the line. From the resulting scrum Covents pushed Warwickian off their ball and frustration was evident as the home prop pushed his own No 6 over prompting No 6 to say, No f * * * er likes me! (Very shrewd this lad). At this point the ball was kicked away and Covents sub Visor bravely retrieved it getting slightly stung in the process by some naughty, nasty old nettles. These hookers are a tough breed though; they are even prepared to play on through the pain barrier of nappy rash.

So half-time 24-3 and Mark Farndon came on for Woz at loose head. For some strange reason, although the pack were now firing as a unit, Covents seemed to drop their intensity and at times joined in the silly yapping so popular with the home team. The second half became a disjointed, scrappy affair and Middlesex 7s it was not! In the 50th minute, our old mate No 6 was penalised for nattering again and this time his own players gave him a b*llocking. The 55th minute saw Covents awarded a penalty for the flanker breaking bind (thank you referees assessor) but strangely, Deadeye missed with a poor kick.

On the hour, the home side started to make inroads using their substitute (big lad wearing 19) and their other pacy back, No 14. In fact No 19 threaded through four defenders and was only just held by Potter Jnr. 5 minutes later, No 14 was on the charge when Rohan cut him down with a superb tackle around the ankles. On 27 minutes Sam Holtham came on for Cozzy (injured foot) and a minute later the home pressure finally told as they scored but missed the kick for 24-8. On 30 minutes, Lawrence Goddard came on to make his first team debut for Chris Potter who had injured his whole body earlier.

In the 71st minute D J found himself on the wrong side and the Riverdance was duly reciprocated; suddenly D J (you wouldnt like me when Im angry) changed into the Incredible Hulk and charged into a Warwickian attacker, cutting him in half! A minute later, Mr Angry, still green, still in ripped shorts grabbed the ball and roared up field snarling with opposition players falling like saplings. This resulted in a lineout in which Sam, at about 2000 feet, took great ball but the resulting rumble came to nothing. In the 74th minute Woz came back on for Mark Farndon and immediately Goughy to Deadeye put Lawrence in for a debut try but . . . the referee blew and his moment of glory was gone on the fickle wind of fate.

At this point, Covents hooker Danny Pearson, although a lot slimmer than he was, threw out a pass that hit Dick Potter in the chest and knocked him over. Danny, lay off those protein milkshakes mate. In the 80th minute Deadeye sent a penalty over for 27-8 and then Rohan went close but we could not seem to find that elusive last score to finish on, or could we? In the 5th minute of injury time, Deadeye passed to Lawrence in the home 22 and the centre with a props body, wearing a hookers shirt and the feet of a ballerina (thanks Chris) weaved, pirouetted and scored on his debut for 32-8 much to the delight of his team mates and away supporters. This left Deadeye to slot (14 points for him then) for a final score of 34-8 and all was well in the blue and white camp. Click here for commentary of THAT try.

So a much needed win and achieved with several regulars missing which can only bode well. There was a lot of good stuff on display but on the down side, in games like this, we need to concentrate and focus on what we do well and not get involved with any opposition shenanigans. Having said that, Warwickian are a good bunch of blokes off the pitch but ear plugs should be made compulsory during the game.

Touchline / Match Quotes

Warwickian player; please sir, he stole my rubber!

Deadeye; love you Sneaker

Warwickian player; please sir, he told me to get lost!

Young lad; Is he really a DJ? (Bless him)

Covents back; Forwards spread! (Is this a new type of margarine?)


Covents 2nds were due to play Warwickian 2nds in the 2nd team Cup but W cried off.