Coventry 48 Caldy 19 - I'm Just A Raver Singing Oho-hey!

I'm just a raver singing oho-hey

I jump around to this crazy sound, all night and all day

I'm just a raver singing oho-hey

Now take my force and jump the night away

Hey everybody feel the disco sound

I'm gonna make you jump all around

This is my rhythm, my passion supply

It's gonna be a bumpy ride

I'm A Raver - DJ Rankin

The scoreboard would have us believe that this was a pretty one-sided affair.

48 points, eight tries and a try-scoring bonus before half-time would all add weight to such an assumption.

However, that would be a little harsh on a Caldy side who, on top of the three tries they did score, had several periods of the game where they'd worked their way into our 22 but were unable to break through a Coventry defence that was up quickly and rarely missed a first tackle.

Cov, on the other hand, were far more clinical and when they entered the Caldy red zone they invariably left with the 5 points. Cov grew into the game in fairness and at times they played some irresistible rugby, with Pellegrini once again setting his backs free with his eye for the gap or quick offload. But they had to work very hard to exert their dominance.

Caldy came to the BPA and showed the same steely grit and determination that has so impressed supporters of all clubs in the Championship this season. That they started and ended the scoring should come as no surprise, even if at times in the period in between they struggled to adjust to the pace of Coventry both in attack and, indeed, in defence. Caldy kept going until the final whistle and it was fitting that they should have the final word as Chris Pilgrim seized on untidy Cov ball from a scrum 5 metres from their line.

It was a strange afternoon in many ways but one that was important as much for what took place before kick off than what happened on the pitch after it - and Caldy must take the plaudits for much of what those arriving early to the ground witnessed in the run up to the game.

I got their reasonably early, probably around 12.30. I'd intended to walk into the town centre and get myself something to eat as I was without either my son or grandson, both caught up in family obligations elsewhere.

However, even at that time the carpark was busy, unusually so, and there was a lot of noise emanating from the stand and pitch - so much so that I decided to forego the inevitable meal deal and head straight on into the ground. Hardly a sacrifice, but even so...

Parents enjoying the March sun as well as urging on their kids, of course!

And a good decision it proved too!

Caldy had brought down at least four coaches of minis and accompanying parents and the whole pitch had been taken over by a series of games involving youngsters, both boys and girls, representing either Caldy or a local Coventry community club. With the sun out and a feeling of Spring very much in the air, it was an unexpected but really heart-warming spectacle.

Circuit training BPA style!

As is my want, I spent a lot of the time before kick off just walking circuits of the pitch, taking in the sights and sounds all around me, enjoying watching the happy, smiling faces of those either participating or just watching on. And it proved good exercise too! I think I've probably done more circuits with Sam in the past, but never have they gone so quickly!

It was community rugby working as it should. A professional side opening its doors to allow youngsters to come together and experience something new and exciting. My only criticism was that there was no information at hand as to the nature of the event, the teams involved or the structure of the games - perhaps I missed it, but it would have been good to know a little more about the event.

some of the Caldy youngsters waiting for a glimpse of their heroes

The ground was awash with children and adults in the orange tops of Caldy and one could have been forgiven for thinking the Dutch had come to town. (See comment below for an explanation of the choice of colour - thanks Paul) The BPA has played host to many such pre-game events over the years, but this was unprecedented in my experience and given the disarray the senior game currently finds itself in, it was a real morale booster. If this is an example of the enthusiasm that's being shown by similar clubs up and down the country, then there's genuine hope for the future.

That so many parents and children had come all the way down from Liverpool to be there yesterday was something quite special. Caldy deserve plenty of credit for what they are clearly achieving up there, as do Coventry who put on an excellent show and provided an opportunity for local youngsters to experience one of the best rugby stadiums outside of the Premiership.

Win win for both clubs.

As guards of honour go, I don't think the BPA has ever witnessed anything quite like this before

And it didn't end there. In the final few minutes leading to kick off, the Caldy youngsters formed a guard of honour for the players that stretched almost half the width of the pitch and at times it felt as if we were the away team.

I'm not sure I would have been as generous as Cov obviously were in allowing the Caldy minis to take over in such a way. However, it was right that they did and perhaps it unsettled Coventry a little as the home side were very slow off the mark and in the 6 minutes leading up to Caldy's opening try, Cov barely saw the ball at all.

And whilst it seems a bit crass to mention the financial rewards accruing from such an event, the bars and outside eateries must have benefitted greatly from the earlier than usual trade, all of which makes it even more of a success. The hospitality suite seemed to be busy too and I saw a fair few ex-Cov players around the ground. Having walked around the pitch at half time, it was disappointing to see a good few of those who had enjoyed the pre-match meal and entertainment had stayed inside during the whole of the first half and didn't appear to be overly interested in the game that was unfolding just a few metres in front of them.

The way of the world these days, I guess.

There are several match reports available elsewhere, written by those far better qualified than myself, so I'll gloss over the game itself. One thing worthy of note is that the Man of the Match as named over the PA and in this weekend's The Rugby Paper is the same player which isn't always the case. And not for the first time, it's Pat Pellegrini who once again caught the eye, scoring a rare '9' in TRP's player ratings. Not only that, Head Coach Alex was certainly effusive in his praise of his mercurial no 10:

'In my opinion, he is the best attacking fly half in the league and the good thing about him is that he is ambitious, he wants to get better and better.

If you asked him, I hope he would say he wants to play for Australia, in Super League or in the Premiership. He has the ability and a good attitude as well so the world is his oyster'

PP's touchline conversion attempt to add the points to Rhys Thomas' first half try is charged down

I've been lucky to see some very competent fly halves over the years of watching Cov and at this level Pellegrini's up there with the very best. He's also a genuine crowd pleaser.

To have him back next season alongside Will Chudley is a huge boost for Coventry and for the fans, too. He is a player around whom Rae can build his backline. We already have some real potential outside of him, with players like RIgg, Wand, Martin, Talbot-Davies, Titherington all young and full of promise. A couple more signings over the summer and we'll have strength in depth as well.

It's worth remembering that yesterday's match day squad didn't include the likes of Cornish, Nayalo, Dodd, Brown, Ma'asi, Southworth, Seward and Poole, all of whom could justifiably claim a place in the starting 15 which shows just how well we are currently placed in terms of player options.

We are, though, still some way behind Ealing and, arguably, Jersey in terms of overall strength. And with both Bedford (James Fish from Saints) and Ealing (Billy Twelvetrees and Jordy Reid from Gloucester) announcing signings from the Premiership for next season, Cov will need to bring in some further experience if they are to remain competitive at the very top of this league.

But that's something to discuss later. Yesterday was all about Caldy and the enjoyment they have brought to the Championship this season. Few gave them much chance of a place outside of the bottom two back in September and whilst they have struggled since the start of the new year to recapture the form they showed early doors, they have done more than enough to capture the hearts, and minds, of those who have had the pleasure to watch them over the course of the season.

Cov is my first love. Always.

But I'm also a convert...

...a Raver - Oho-hey

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