Bedford Blues 27 Coventry Rugby 23 - when close just isn't good enough; U23 Academy v Oxford University Greyhounds

I look inside myself and see my heart is black

I see my red door, I must have it painted black

Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts

It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue

I could not foresee this thing happening to you

If I look hard enough into the setting sun

My love will laugh with me before the morning comes

Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones

To someone casually checking the scores late on Friday evening, a draw against a revitalised and free-scoring Bedford side might seem like a reasonable outcome.

Facing a team ranked second in the league, and playing away from home, it's a result that few neutral observers would have predicted; indeed, even some Cov supporters were apprehensive going into the game, especially after witnessing Cov's struggles against Doncaster and their collapse against Nottingham in recent weeks.

Add to the mix that Cov played 28 minutes of the second half with 14 players after Captain Jordon Poole was dismissed for a second yellow and it might appear even more of a laudable result.

On the journey back by coach, this was pretty much the general view, certainly amongst those supporters I chatted to. Coventry had pushed the game to the limit, ahead until the final minutes when Bedford eventually took the lead. It was a brave defensive effort, and despite recent disappointing performances, this was somewhat of an improvement, despite the final outcome.

However, I have to say I have a slightly different take on the game, one that is rather less generous and I hope better reflects what the players and coaches might be thinkingIn short, I think it as a pretty poor result from a game that we should have won were it not for yet more indiscipline and a worrying inability to turn good possession and territorial advantage into points. Yes, Bedford won it, but presented them with an opportunity they should never have been given.

I'd worry a little if the general view from those involved in the game from a Cov perspective, whether players or coaches, is a positive one.

In the match report on the website, Paul Smith referred to it as a 'gritty' performance, but it ended up as such more because of Coventry's errors than Bedford's superiority. Coventry scored first after just over 20 seconds, with another Charlie Robson special, giving us a strong start on which to build. We had several good chances to increase the score in the opening quarter, including a penalty in front of the posts that was declined in favour of a kick to the corner.

Controversial as this may be, given Coventry's somewhat erratic form lately, but opting for an easy three points seemed the sensible decision; Cov gambled on at least a 5-pointer led to nothing other than some frustration amongst those watching in the stands. Although it was early in the game, in what was always likely to be a closely contested match, securing points would have seemed the better option.

Although Bedford came back into the game after the 20-minute mark and took an 8-7 lead into the break, there was still everything to play for. On paper, a 5-3 split on the bench gave Head Coach Alex Rae plenty of options in the final quarter and when Cov retook the lead with a well-worked try on 47 minutes, Cov looked to be in the driving seat, 8-14 up and with momentum on their side.

But then disaster struck... a second yellow for Poole and Cov were down to 14 players and from then on Cov were always going to have to live off scraps as Bedford's forwards took control.

Of Poole's two yellow cards, the first was puzzling to me. Initially, the referee appeared to have indicated only the penalty, but after Poole approached him, likely in his role as Captain, the card was issued. Whether this was due to their exchange or merely a delayed reaction from the referee is uncertain.

Cov rung the changes but the Bedford pack began to take control and we started to creak in the scrums, conceding penalties in key areas and undoing some of the good work that was being done elsewhere to defend a resurgent Bedford side urged on by a home crowd that had begun to smell blood. From what had been a fairly quiet first 40 minutes, suddenly the atmosphere grew intense and up against a wall of noise and a player down, in the end it all proved too much. Interestingly, Bedford only used three replacements which, given the slope of the pitch and the intensity of those last 20 minutes was something of a surprise.

Whilst I'm all for players showing passion on the pitch, it's what you always want to see from your team, at times it boiled over a little - with Josh Barton at one point giving Tiki a real mouthful after the scrum half was penalised for delaying a box kick from a maul.

It wasn't a great look...if you're going to have a go, save it for the opposition, not your own players.

Bedford undoubtedly deserved the victory, primarily because they capitalised on our mistakes. It wasn't an exceptional game by any measure, and the quality of rugby from both teams didn't really reflect their standings in the Championship. Nevertheless, Bedford scored four tries and seized their opportunities when they arose. Their backs did appear more threatening and, in Will Maisey, they had a fly-half capable of breaking through the toughest of defences with precise cross kicks or a variety of passes—he certainly knew how to maximize the potential of the players around him.

I thought Charlie Robson looked the most threatening of the Coventry backs but on several occasions he made good metres beating several players only to either lose the ball in the tackle or concede a penalty. He often found himself a little isolated...

All seasons I've commented on the backs defending well but too often failing to unlock defences. In the previous two seasons, Cov were scoring tries for fun and at one point we had four players in the top 10 try scorers - this year we currently have one, Ryan Hutler, with just 6 tries in 12 games.

Cambridge, bottom of the league and already with a minus 300 points difference, have two.

I've not heard it mentioned at all, but surely the dearth of tries from 9 through to 15 (relative to previous seasons) must be a concern, especially as we've championed a free-flowing, open style of rugby in the past? Injuries haven't helped, with players like Jake Henry, Steff Davies and Oli Morris all sidelined, but that's why you build depth to your squad.

While Friday nights under the lights are appealing to some, I've never been a fan of them away from home. I believe it gives the home team a clear advantage, as most clubs have to travel on Friday afternoons, which disrupts their routine and raises concerns about delays and traffic jams typical of Friday afternoons.

But Cov is a professional club these days and is better equipped to prepare for them during the week than most clubs in our league. There were 2625 at the Goldington Road ground on Friday, a decent enough crowd but certainly a good deal less than some of the crowds I've stood in down there in past seasons. Maybe, the advantage that accrues from Friday night games negates the disadvantages of a potentially smaller crowd.

After reviewing feedback from Cov supporters who attended the game, there were a few grievances regarding the conduct of one or two Bedford fans. However, that wasn't my experience - they are loud, passionate, but fair, and if they do have a go at players who are sin-binned or sent off, it's nothing beyond what you'd anticipate at the BPA. It was all pretty good-natured where we were and the overwhelming feeling from most Blues' supporters seemed to be relief as much as anything.

The venue generates a unique atmosphere due to its relatively small main stand (compared to the average attendance), causing most spectators to stand two or three deep, sometimes more, around the pitch. This setup creates atmosphere from all sides, making the whole area feel busier and, during the game, significantly more intense than if most of the crowd was concentrated in a single area. It's something that must impact on the players. It's good to be in the middle of it, even on the occasions Cov are struggling.

Friday's Burger Watch, though, will come as a big disappointment to any Bedford fans reading this post. Josh really didn't enjoy his burger, awarding it the lowest score of the season and putting Bedford firmly at the bottom of the table. I'm currently in discussions with the RFU, negotiating royalties should they decide to use the data as the deciding factor to determine relegation if two or more teams have the same number of points/points difference at the end of any given season.

Seems like a pretty decisive indication of a club's season tbf...

According to the teenage gourmet sensation, Bedford's offering was very pedestrian with the bun rather stale and the burger a little overcooked and the taste somewhat bland.

The fries fared a little better but it was a small portion compared to other grounds and at £9.50 it wasn't the cheapest.

Certainly, it didn't look or smell especially appetising and it came as no real surprise when, after a good deal sampling, the one-man jury's verdict was announced

So, after Round 12 the standings are as follows:

1. Caldy - 9

2. Cambridge - 8.5

3. Leicester - 7.5

4. Coventry - 7

5. Nottingham - 6

6. Ampthill - 5.5

7. London Scottish - 5

8. Bedford 4.5

A tough evening, then, for Cov fans all-in-all but there can be few complaints. We got what we deserved and in the last four or five games we've rather been found out. As of now, we're a top four side at best and it rather feels like we're watching the Emperor in his New Clothes, all aware of what we're seeing but waiting for someone to say the obvious.

Currently, we're far from where we expected to be last November...something needs to change, whether it's luck, players coming back, a new game plan, a strengthening of the squad or a mix of all four.

Losing four out of the last five games isn't the kind of form we expect from the Cov we've become used to watching over these last couple of seasons. Once the Cup games are over, we're back to some slightly easier fixtures and an opportunity to regroup.

Some interesting times ahead...

Up the Cov!

---

It would be remiss of me not to make mention of the U23 Academy game that took place yesterday (Sunday) against Oxford Greyhounds, the University's second team.

A scratch Coventry side, composed of players from 14 different clubs from in and around the city, played with an unexpected fluency and thoroughly deserved the win. A 1.00 pm kick off on a Sunday isn't ideal but there was a crowd of perhaps 250-300 there to give its support and we were all kept thoroughly entertained.

In previous Academy games this season, absence of the scoreboard and an announcer meant that the games lacked the atmosphere they deserved. Players wearing a Cov shirt, at whatever age, should be made to feel that they are valued by the club and the addition of both yesterday certainly added to the occasion. It gave the game far more of an official feel to it, as well as giving Cov the opportunity to advertise future events at the club to a group of supporters many of whom would be new to Coventry Rugby.

Well done Cov,!

There were some really strong individual performances amongst the Coventry squad but it was the ability of the youngsters to come together and play as a team that was their greatest asset. I was hugely impressed and it was evident, even as they warmed up, just how well coached they were.

Cov looked far more organised than their opposition at times and although lacking a little in size, especially in the forwards, I was really taken by the physicality of these youngsters. The starting front 3, in particular, were fearless, taking the game to the opposition and unsettling them from the first whistle. The 9 and 10 combination worked really well and with the back row also prominent, it was a really enjoyably contest. In the end the students were out-schooled and outplayed by the Academy side.

I've watch three of the Academy games this season and enjoyed them all. I know it's never easy to arrange these fixtures, the logistics must be a nightmare, but I'm sure if there could be regular(ish) games before home Championship kick-offs, crowds would begin to come into the ground earlier to watch some very talented youngsters, with all the benefits that come with that.

---