Coventrians 43 - 7 Old Wheats Mids 5 West S E

Current Covents Do Clayton Proud

Coventrians retained the Clayton Flick Memorial Trophy and completed a 6th consecutive league win after a convincing display of forward power and finishing from Rohan at HQ on Saturday. Our thanks to the Wheats lads for allowing Terry Mosey to referee and to Terry for a solid performance only blotting his copybook by blowing up with 4 minutes to go as his whole body was hurting.

Covents signalled their intent in the 3rd minute after forward strength set up fly-half Dougie who missing out Lawrence, passed to Rohan who proved his usual irresistable self by weaving past 3 defenders to dot down under the posts - Jason Ryan converted for 7-0. The pack were switched on and having their way early doors with a turn over and veteran street fighter Giz pinching all sorts of ball he had no right to in the lineouts. Having said that, in the 11th minute, the top heavy Stevie Wonder Vallis ruined a promising move by knocking on and yes, before you say it, he would not have dropped it if it had been wrapped in newspaper and smelling of salt & vinegar . . .

In the 13th minute, scrum-half Tom Gough (who seems to specialize in tries from impossible positions) lived up to his reputation by dotting down right in the corner when it looked to all the world that he would be bundled into touch. 12-0. The kick was good from Jason but just drifted wide. It was at this point that our Rt Hon President, Spooky Springate was heard to say, rather modestly, I have been coaching the backs and they are getting better and better

In the 27th minute Danny Pearson discolated his shoulder and this signalled Monkey coming out of retirement when she realised it was her monkey yelping and gasping like a girl and also brought Woz into the fray at hooker. From a 30th minute scrum, Covents turned over and after a powerful drive, scored a pushover try. As the fat boys peeled themselves off, one by one, everyone was stunned to see Rohan at the bottom of the heap enjoying a fat bifta and clutching the pill - sterling undercover work by the main man then and Jason added the extras with a beauty from the touchline for 19-0. In the 33rd minute, a torpedo from Dougie put us in the same corner via a Wheats hand and from the resulting lineout Captain Cozzie went over but this time Jase the Ace hit an upright from in front meaning we went in at half-time, 24-0.

So all rosy and awaiting a cricket score then? Not so, Wheats made a substitution and came back with renewed vim and vigour. For the next 10 minutes they put us under pressure running some great lines and playing some rugby that was easy on the eye. If it hadn't been for sloppiness from hand and some solid blue & white defence they could have easily had 2 or 3 scores. As it happened, Rohan Aitken collected a loose pass on halfway and scorched in towards the clubhouse, leaving a vapour trail on 51 minutes for his hat trick and as Jason slotted for 31-0 we breathed a sigh of relief.

This galvanised our boys and D J Sexton picked and drove powerfully up the left touch, taking 2 or 3 with him and 3 minutes later, in the opposite corner, Covents scored another pushover try and although Vallis has offered me a pint for giving it to him, it was Captain Cozzy who applied the all important downward pressure for 36-0. In the 64th minute Wheats finally got on the board when their No 9 felt the need to beat Dougie twice before dotting down. Is there any value in showboating when 36 points behind . . . ? You know the drill, get your postcards out.

So 36-7 but Covents were not finished yet and illustrated their strength and stamina (now fortified by Wayne only 3 brandies) by pushing Wheats 20 or 25 yards back. Then Lawrence, the flying warthog of a centre, went on a trademark bullocking surge through 2 defenders before putting Tam alright arr kid bostin ma mate Carter in for a score converted by Jason for 43-7. There was still time for Deej to drive powerfully again, helped by Lenny and Wozza and then Wheats to return the compliment by shoving our boys 15 yards before Terry Moseys legs and lungs gave out on 76 minutes.

So as the sun set on paradise and a lot of contented Covents gathered in the gloaming (with a very gracious Wheats contingent) it was left to Terry Mosey to make a lovely speech in which he remembered Clayton and Claire and reminded everyone what this fixture is all about. Then the trophy was presented to Cozzy looking resplendant all in errrrr, brown and we returned to what we do best, bending the elbow, gilding the lily and extracting the urine from each other. Is there a better place to be than the club you love after a good win? I don't think so.

Spartans 3rds v Covents 2nds Warks 3 KO 3:00pm