Latest Coventrians RFC News
Saturday 6th February 2010
Old Wheats 21 - 41 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E)
Tries; Dougie 2, Cozzie 2, Simon Needles, Alan Bedford, Steve Vallis, Dougie 3 cons.
Covents 2nds 31 - 26 Rugby St Andrews 3rds
Ben Davis 4 tries, James Connolly and Davis 3 cons - congratulations to young bhoy James, son of John & Jane who was making his debut for the Blue & Whites at the age of 15.
Wellesbourne 10 - 24 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E)
Sorry no ramblings from me this week as I was in detention on Saturday - a good win for the lads though with tries from Simon Needles, Adam Booth (his first), Danny Pearson and Steve Vallis. Simon also converted 2. The Bedworth Echo stop press has Vallis's effort as a 90 yard solo effort on Fred Flinstone bowling twinkle toes but eye witnesses say he tripped and fell on the ball from 6 inches out ;-)
Covents 2nds 17 - 22 Old Covents 3rds (Warks 3)
Apparently OCs lent us 4 players (so thanks to them) and it seems like it was a good, close game. If anyone knows who scored the points, stick it on the guestbook please. I've heard a rumour that Ayatollah Scholesy crashed over . . .
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Coventrians 6 - 0 Copsewood (Mids 5 West S E)
Our all time league record v Copsewood, GPT Coventry, GEC is now P6 W2 L4
A Win is a Win
Covents eventually triumphed yesterday in a game that was uglier than the bird Eamonn pulled in Ilfracombe, Easter 1988. It really was a case of after the Lord Mayors show when we consider the pulsating heroics of last week. I don't know what it is about Coventrians v Copsewood that guarantees drudgery, if anyone can answer that question, get your postcards out please.
Covents actually started well and flew out of the traps, finding themselves in the Cs 22 driving through the forwards and in the 2nd minute won a penalty which big Simon Needle potted for 3-0. He repeated this later in the half and we went in at the break 6-0 to the good.
The second half was slightly better with both sets of forwards fired up and we saw good work from DJ with at least a couple of surging drives and Cozzy and Danny linking well to put Kev Walters away before being pulled up by a whistle. Copsewood had a couple of long range punts which both fell short and looked nippy in the backs where they deployed a couple of slippy dwarves. Our own three quarter line had an off day as big Lawrence earned himself the new nickname of Teflon. He reported to the officials post match and tested positive for Kerrygold on his fingers. On a brighter note, Alan Bedford made some good solo runs and a medium sized hit before coming off with a groin strain. No one told him that Lauren is no longer the physio apparently.
Woz came on for a trundle to replace the cream crackered Vallis and just as he was starting his warm down (a Bensons and a Black Label) he had to re enter the fray for the busted Bedford.
There was a little excitment near the end generated by coach and touch judge Bopper who signalled a Copsewood foot in touch 6 minutes and 120 yards after the offence. The ref brought it all back and Copsewoods lovely peroxide player started to wax lyrical at the man in yellow. I happened to disagree with him slightly and we entered into a brief exchange of pleasantries which may or may not have included some Anglo Saxon. Congratulations to Neil Walters who provided this quip, "It was the highlight of the match!"
So a short match report because quite frankly my dear, I cannot be bothered to switch on my dictaphone and re live yesterdays fare. Middlesex 7s it wasnt but as the title suggests, a win is a win.
Covents 2nds 20 - 29 Manor Park 2nds (Warks 3)
So no such problems in the second team game then as they performed heroics, only succumbing by 9 points after playing with 14 men for the first half and against top of the league opposition. A penalty try and one from Dom which were both converted by Ben Davies who added a penalty for good measure. Giz summed it up as he said, "We gave them Treacle Tarners a game and alf youth." ALL HAIL THE SECOND TEAM!
"I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip."
Bill McLaren 1923-2010
Saturday 16th January 2010
Today we remember Jonny Roden who passed away two years ago this weekend
Covents 2nds 0-66 Kenilworth 3rds (Warks 3)
Atherstone 25-23 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E)
Our all time record v Atherstone youth is P28 W11 L17. Our first ever league game was on the 10th September 1988 when we won at home 19-3, tries from Paul Barrow 2, Tim Bycroft and John Kenny plus a penalty from Clayton Flick securing victory. Our last game away at Atherstone on the 8th March 2008 saw a comprehensive 45-14 win with tries from Chris Simons 2, Rohan Aitken 2, Mikey Kiburi, Carl Thornton & Kev Walters with Deadeye Douglas adding 5 conversions. Covents Lose Out in Last Gasp Thriller! Sometimes league rugby can be dull, turgid fare but yesterday Coventrians and the All Blacks of Atherstone served up a real treat that warmed the very cockles. With both sides playing for the first time in 5 or 6 weeks we perhaps could have expected much less but this was a real thriller, tense, edge of the seat, cliff hanging rugby. It all looked a bit ominous as Atherstone started as they usually do, rumbling through the pack and then running a try in from base camp in our 22 for 7-0 after 8 minutes. On 12 minutes though, Danny Pearson passed to flanker Kev Walters who put Captain Cozzy (Mr Angry) in and watched while those little legs sprinted in, 35 yards for a try under the posts. Deadeye converted and it was all level at 7-7. In the 25th minute, Deadeye slotted a penalty to cancel an earlier Atherstone kick to make the score 10-10 which is how it remained until half time. In the 44th minute after good work from a now much more solid Covents eight, we won a penalty and Deadeye slotted for 13-10. A few minutes later, some great tackling from debutant Adam Booth at No 8, Cozzy, D J and Danny underlined the effort from the forwards as the home side attacked in waves of black. Alan Bedford and Lenny Pitt were doing their bit in the backs too with some big hits. In the 56th minute, Lawrence at outside centre put fly half Phil Watson in at the corner to stretch our lead to 18-10 and was due reward for the blue boy's efforts. Unfortunately Deadeye caught more tee than ball and the kick was missed. The game started to swing back to Atherstone though and after the hour mark their forwards and fly half started to make their presence felt with a lot of possession and territory. They turned this into points with a try from close range after 62 minutes to make it 18-15 and their kicker having just hit the cross bar with a penalty proceeded to hit it again with the conversion! Crossbar challenge for you then mate. This stirred them to greater exertion and the blue and white defence was sorely tested as the black pack surged and surged again. At one point they were surely over but Ryan Gilbert manged to burgle the pill and that particular attack came to nothing. They were also down to fourteen as a black forward saw yellow but he was soon followed by our scrum half Tom Gough. In the 76th minute Danny Pearson dropped on a loose ball and trying to find touch, gave possession back to the home side and they eventually scored in the corner and converted for 18-22. So that was it then, game over, points gone as there was no coming back from here? Well read on . . . Covents won a penalty in the 80th minute and from the lineout got a rumble on with D J and Keiran surging and Lawrence and then Paul Brindley going close. In the 84th minute from another lineout the forwards never say die attitude enabled Dave Bailey to give it to Danny Pearson who tenacious as a bull dog and seven of his best buddies shoving for their lives behind him, pushed the black pack over the line and dotted down in the corner to send us into waves of ecstacy. So game on again at 23-22 as Deadeye unfortunately didn't slot. So we were in the 7th minute of injury time and 2 more remained. Atherstone kicked off and put it straight out. Instead of taking the scrum we opted for them to kick again and they gained possession and started attacking in waves again, roared on by their big crowd. Great tackles from Lenny and then Deadeye kept them at bay but we were penalised on our 22 and their fly half who had hit the crossbar twice already lined up for what one could describe as a pressure kick. In the 89th minute, he stepped back and sent a beauty straight down the middle to bring the curtain down on a most entertaining game that neither side really deserved to lose. As it was though, Atherstone won 23-25 but there was no disgrace in defeat for the blue and white boys who had given their all and heads were held high after a real gutsy performance. A word too about the whistler, a diminutive Scot who had a pretty decent game of his own. I particularly liked the way he communicated all his decisions clearly to both players and supporters alike. Touchline quote; Daaaaady run! (Steve Vallis' little lad) "You know Daddy aint very good at running." (Steve Vallis' daughter) 
Takes you back in time . . . Twenty-two years ago today (2nd Jan 1988) Covents played their first ever games at the Black Pad. The 2nd team lost 0-3 to Post Office on what is now the football pitch and the 3rds lost 4-18 to B'ham Civil Service with scrum-half Martin Harrington scoring the first ever try on what is now the only rugby pitch. The first team won their league game 22-3 away at Post Office in what was their Championship winning season, the first ever of league rugby.
Saturday 2 January 2010
Old Wheats v Coventrians (Mids 5 West SE) KO 2:15 (pending pitch inspection)
Covents all time league record is P310 W123 D6 L181. Our league record v Wheats is P15 W3 D1 L11. Our first league fixture v Wheats was on the 8th March 1997 when we lost 15-33 away (scorers unknown). On 10th December 2005 we won away 19-16, tries from M.Kiburi, K.Martin & S.Kirk with a conversion each from L.Pegler & A.Hawthorn. On 25th March 2006 we drew at home 11-11 (try N.Walters, C.Potter 2 pens). Our other two wins being 6-5 at home on 16th December 2006 (C.Potter 2 pens) and 8-6 at home on 29th March 2008 (C.Simons try, Dougie pen). Match postponed again due to frozen pitch - training on Thursday!
21st December 2009
Today we remember Clayton and Claire who were so tragically lost 21 years ago over Lockerbie 
12th December 2009
Covents 2nds 26 - 0 Spartans 3rds (Warks 3)
Sometimes scrappy, sometimes good phases of play. The referees first game as ref, not too bad, tried to keep the game flowing, missed a bit, both sides tried to get away with stuff, kept a lid on a couple of flurries. Back to the game, Steve Vallis uncomfortable (due to a humdinger of a hangover)in the scrum against a (novice?) prop; dispensed with said props services halfway through 2nd half, Big Sam Collinson ran the 1st try in from a good distance, Ben slotted over. Rohan (who felt a bit guilty) turned up and came on at half time ran 2 tries in and then went off, to pack his speedos ready for his trip back to the homeland. Ben slotted 1 of the 2 over.
Rohans departure brought on to the pitch young John (Joff) who it is fair to say after all his previous games, has got a bit of bottle, chased a kick up field kicked on again and scored his First try for the club;nice one. Ben slotted over. I know it is short but my dinner is nearly ready. The No8 would like to point out that a masterclass in, the one handed pass behind the back, the positional kick up field, and the amazing show and go dummy can be seen at training on Thursday.
My thanks to the venerable and distinguished gentleman Dicky P who has just created a new "Guest Report" slot. Well done to Joff to.
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Saturday 6th February 2010 Old Wheats 21 - 41 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E) Tries; Dougie 2, Cozzie 2, Simon Needles, Alan Bedford, Steve Vallis, Dougie 3 cons. Covents 2nds 31 - 26 Rugby St Andrews 3rds Ben Davis 4 tries, James Connolly and Davis 3 cons - congratulations to young bhoy James, son of John & Jane who was making his debut for the Blue & Whites at the age of 15. |
Wellesbourne 10 - 24 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E) Sorry no ramblings from me this week as I was in detention on Saturday - a good win for the lads though with tries from Simon Needles, Adam Booth (his first), Danny Pearson and Steve Vallis. Simon also converted 2. The Bedworth Echo stop press has Vallis's effort as a 90 yard solo effort on Fred Flinstone bowling twinkle toes but eye witnesses say he tripped and fell on the ball from 6 inches out ;-) Covents 2nds 17 - 22 Old Covents 3rds (Warks 3) Apparently OCs lent us 4 players (so thanks to them) and it seems like it was a good, close game. If anyone knows who scored the points, stick it on the guestbook please. I've heard a rumour that Ayatollah Scholesy crashed over . . . |
Saturday 23rd January 2010 Coventrians 6 - 0 Copsewood (Mids 5 West S E) Our all time league record v Copsewood, GPT Coventry, GEC is now P6 W2 L4 A Win is a Win Covents eventually triumphed yesterday in a game that was uglier than the bird Eamonn pulled in Ilfracombe, Easter 1988. It really was a case of after the Lord Mayors show when we consider the pulsating heroics of last week. I don't know what it is about Coventrians v Copsewood that guarantees drudgery, if anyone can answer that question, get your postcards out please. Covents actually started well and flew out of the traps, finding themselves in the Cs 22 driving through the forwards and in the 2nd minute won a penalty which big Simon Needle potted for 3-0. He repeated this later in the half and we went in at the break 6-0 to the good. The second half was slightly better with both sets of forwards fired up and we saw good work from DJ with at least a couple of surging drives and Cozzy and Danny linking well to put Kev Walters away before being pulled up by a whistle. Copsewood had a couple of long range punts which both fell short and looked nippy in the backs where they deployed a couple of slippy dwarves. Our own three quarter line had an off day as big Lawrence earned himself the new nickname of Teflon. He reported to the officials post match and tested positive for Kerrygold on his fingers. On a brighter note, Alan Bedford made some good solo runs and a medium sized hit before coming off with a groin strain. No one told him that Lauren is no longer the physio apparently. Woz came on for a trundle to replace the cream crackered Vallis and just as he was starting his warm down (a Bensons and a Black Label) he had to re enter the fray for the busted Bedford. There was a little excitment near the end generated by coach and touch judge Bopper who signalled a Copsewood foot in touch 6 minutes and 120 yards after the offence. The ref brought it all back and Copsewoods lovely peroxide player started to wax lyrical at the man in yellow. I happened to disagree with him slightly and we entered into a brief exchange of pleasantries which may or may not have included some Anglo Saxon. Congratulations to Neil Walters who provided this quip, "It was the highlight of the match!" So a short match report because quite frankly my dear, I cannot be bothered to switch on my dictaphone and re live yesterdays fare. Middlesex 7s it wasnt but as the title suggests, a win is a win. Covents 2nds 20 - 29 Manor Park 2nds (Warks 3) So no such problems in the second team game then as they performed heroics, only succumbing by 9 points after playing with 14 men for the first half and against top of the league opposition. A penalty try and one from Dom which were both converted by Ben Davies who added a penalty for good measure. Giz summed it up as he said, "We gave them Treacle Tarners a game and alf youth." ALL HAIL THE SECOND TEAM! |
| "I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip." Bill McLaren 1923-2010 |
 Saturday 16th January 2010 Today we remember Jonny Roden who passed away two years ago this weekend Covents 2nds 0-66 Kenilworth 3rds (Warks 3) Atherstone 25-23 Coventrians (Mids 5 West S E) Our all time record v Atherstone youth is P28 W11 L17. Our first ever league game was on the 10th September 1988 when we won at home 19-3, tries from Paul Barrow 2, Tim Bycroft and John Kenny plus a penalty from Clayton Flick securing victory. Our last game away at Atherstone on the 8th March 2008 saw a comprehensive 45-14 win with tries from Chris Simons 2, Rohan Aitken 2, Mikey Kiburi, Carl Thornton & Kev Walters with Deadeye Douglas adding 5 conversions. Covents Lose Out in Last Gasp Thriller! Sometimes league rugby can be dull, turgid fare but yesterday Coventrians and the All Blacks of Atherstone served up a real treat that warmed the very cockles. With both sides playing for the first time in 5 or 6 weeks we perhaps could have expected much less but this was a real thriller, tense, edge of the seat, cliff hanging rugby. It all looked a bit ominous as Atherstone started as they usually do, rumbling through the pack and then running a try in from base camp in our 22 for 7-0 after 8 minutes. On 12 minutes though, Danny Pearson passed to flanker Kev Walters who put Captain Cozzy (Mr Angry) in and watched while those little legs sprinted in, 35 yards for a try under the posts. Deadeye converted and it was all level at 7-7. In the 25th minute, Deadeye slotted a penalty to cancel an earlier Atherstone kick to make the score 10-10 which is how it remained until half time. In the 44th minute after good work from a now much more solid Covents eight, we won a penalty and Deadeye slotted for 13-10. A few minutes later, some great tackling from debutant Adam Booth at No 8, Cozzy, D J and Danny underlined the effort from the forwards as the home side attacked in waves of black. Alan Bedford and Lenny Pitt were doing their bit in the backs too with some big hits. In the 56th minute, Lawrence at outside centre put fly half Phil Watson in at the corner to stretch our lead to 18-10 and was due reward for the blue boy's efforts. Unfortunately Deadeye caught more tee than ball and the kick was missed. The game started to swing back to Atherstone though and after the hour mark their forwards and fly half started to make their presence felt with a lot of possession and territory. They turned this into points with a try from close range after 62 minutes to make it 18-15 and their kicker having just hit the cross bar with a penalty proceeded to hit it again with the conversion! Crossbar challenge for you then mate. This stirred them to greater exertion and the blue and white defence was sorely tested as the black pack surged and surged again. At one point they were surely over but Ryan Gilbert manged to burgle the pill and that particular attack came to nothing. They were also down to fourteen as a black forward saw yellow but he was soon followed by our scrum half Tom Gough. In the 76th minute Danny Pearson dropped on a loose ball and trying to find touch, gave possession back to the home side and they eventually scored in the corner and converted for 18-22. So that was it then, game over, points gone as there was no coming back from here? Well read on . . . Covents won a penalty in the 80th minute and from the lineout got a rumble on with D J and Keiran surging and Lawrence and then Paul Brindley going close. In the 84th minute from another lineout the forwards never say die attitude enabled Dave Bailey to give it to Danny Pearson who tenacious as a bull dog and seven of his best buddies shoving for their lives behind him, pushed the black pack over the line and dotted down in the corner to send us into waves of ecstacy. So game on again at 23-22 as Deadeye unfortunately didn't slot. So we were in the 7th minute of injury time and 2 more remained. Atherstone kicked off and put it straight out. Instead of taking the scrum we opted for them to kick again and they gained possession and started attacking in waves again, roared on by their big crowd. Great tackles from Lenny and then Deadeye kept them at bay but we were penalised on our 22 and their fly half who had hit the crossbar twice already lined up for what one could describe as a pressure kick. In the 89th minute, he stepped back and sent a beauty straight down the middle to bring the curtain down on a most entertaining game that neither side really deserved to lose. As it was though, Atherstone won 23-25 but there was no disgrace in defeat for the blue and white boys who had given their all and heads were held high after a real gutsy performance. A word too about the whistler, a diminutive Scot who had a pretty decent game of his own. I particularly liked the way he communicated all his decisions clearly to both players and supporters alike. Touchline quote; Daaaaady run! (Steve Vallis' little lad) "You know Daddy aint very good at running." (Steve Vallis' daughter) |
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Takes you back in time . . . Twenty-two years ago today (2nd Jan 1988) Covents played their first ever games at the Black Pad. The 2nd team lost 0-3 to Post Office on what is now the football pitch and the 3rds lost 4-18 to B'ham Civil Service with scrum-half Martin Harrington scoring the first ever try on what is now the only rugby pitch. The first team won their league game 22-3 away at Post Office in what was their Championship winning season, the first ever of league rugby. |
| Saturday 2 January 2010 Old Wheats v Coventrians (Mids 5 West SE) KO 2:15 (pending pitch inspection) Covents all time league record is P310 W123 D6 L181. Our league record v Wheats is P15 W3 D1 L11. Our first league fixture v Wheats was on the 8th March 1997 when we lost 15-33 away (scorers unknown). On 10th December 2005 we won away 19-16, tries from M.Kiburi, K.Martin & S.Kirk with a conversion each from L.Pegler & A.Hawthorn. On 25th March 2006 we drew at home 11-11 (try N.Walters, C.Potter 2 pens). Our other two wins being 6-5 at home on 16th December 2006 (C.Potter 2 pens) and 8-6 at home on 29th March 2008 (C.Simons try, Dougie pen). Match postponed again due to frozen pitch - training on Thursday! |
21st December 2009 Today we remember Clayton and Claire who were so tragically lost 21 years ago over Lockerbie |
 12th December 2009 Covents 2nds 26 - 0 Spartans 3rds (Warks 3) Sometimes scrappy, sometimes good phases of play. The referees first game as ref, not too bad, tried to keep the game flowing, missed a bit, both sides tried to get away with stuff, kept a lid on a couple of flurries. Back to the game, Steve Vallis uncomfortable (due to a humdinger of a hangover)in the scrum against a (novice?) prop; dispensed with said props services halfway through 2nd half, Big Sam Collinson ran the 1st try in from a good distance, Ben slotted over. Rohan (who felt a bit guilty) turned up and came on at half time ran 2 tries in and then went off, to pack his speedos ready for his trip back to the homeland. Ben slotted 1 of the 2 over. Rohans departure brought on to the pitch young John (Joff) who it is fair to say after all his previous games, has got a bit of bottle, chased a kick up field kicked on again and scored his First try for the club;nice one. Ben slotted over. I know it is short but my dinner is nearly ready. The No8 would like to point out that a masterclass in, the one handed pass behind the back, the positional kick up field, and the amazing show and go dummy can be seen at training on Thursday. My thanks to the venerable and distinguished gentleman Dicky P who has just created a new "Guest Report" slot. Well done to Joff to. |
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COVENTRIANS RFC 2008/9
A new season is about to begin with 3 trial games booked in August, with Coventrians hosting Dunlop, Earlsdon and Old Wheats as from 16 th August. Hopefully we will have a full squad attending those games, so that we will be battle hardened by the time we entertain Evesham for our first league game at the higher standard in early September.
Once more we are indebted for the continuing sponsorship by Coventry Aquatics for the forthcoming season with new kit and leisurewear being available as from Sept.
Mitch and the coaching team have been busy in the close season preparing for the law changes and a greater emphasis on teamwork and fitness. Please ensure you support him by attending at least 1 of the 3 weekly training sessions.
The 2 nd XV are now also in a highly competitive league of 12, with the likes of Broadstreet, Kenilworth and Leamington 3 rd XVs, so we will need to be highly motivated against quality opposition.
Mitch has also set up links with local schools so that we can develop a junior section, initially U12 and U13s with Tom Carter taking on the role of head coach for this section. Tom will need all the help possible in making this venture a resounding success, so he will be looking for volunteers to help in administration and coaching. If anybody can be of help please speak to the sports committee.
We also need to sell advertising boards around the 1 st XV pitch. If you know of any Company that may be interested, speak to Steve Springate.
Finally congratulations to John and Jane, who now have 5 teams competing in the local junior leagues as Coventrians FC, for the forthcoming season on Sundays.
May I wish all teams at the Black Pad a hugely successful season.
Steve Springate
