Coventry Rugby 27 London Scottish 14: sub-par performance still enough to earn Cov the points against improving Scottish

Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum

You came along and everything started to hum

Still, it's a real good bet, the best is yet to come

Best is yet to come and babe, won't that be fine?

You think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine

The Best Is Yet to Come - Frank Sinatra

It wasn't the performance that Coventry fans have come to expect of late, but the result certainly was and the additional bonus point from the fourth try was enough to put Cov at the top of the Championship, albeit for less than 24 hours.

Playing for the last time at the BPA this season, everyone was hoping for another dominant Cov display but in conditions that were far from favourable and against a resurgent Scottish side, Cov struggled to find the fluency in attack that has been such a hallmark of their play in the past few games.

And in his final appearance in front of the Cov faithful before his retirement from the playing side of the game after Cov's visit to Pirates next weekend, Will Chudley grabbed a 5 pointer, darting unopposed from 20 metres out having spotted a huge gap on the blindside - a fitting end to what has been a such an influential 18 months or so following his arrival at Cov after Worcester Warriors were placed into administration in September 2022.

As he left the field on 60 minutes there were supporters rising to their feet in appreciation of all he has brought to the club, something I've not seen for a long, long time, a sure sign of the genuine appreciation felt for someone who has had such an impact on Cov's steadily improving fortunes since Alex Rae took the helm. Rae has been a revelation for many reasons on and off the pitch, but I think what has impressed me as much as anything has been his recruitment. No one he's signed appears to have struggled at this level and he's unearthed some real gems in the likes of Rigg and Pellegrini, whilst also being able to attract some experienced Premiership players, too.

In previous seasons I've always been anxious to hear announcements of players incoming but this year, because of Rae's success last season, I'm far more relaxed about it.

The opening lines of the song accompanying today's post seem particularly apposite, encapsulating as they do what Rae must have hoped for when he and the club took the decision to bring Will Chudley to Cov:

Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum

You came along and everything started to hum

A plum indeed. Ripe, if not a little past his best - but still way better than any other 9 in this league.

It was as if he was the piece of the jigsaw needed to move Cov on to the next level. His experience has clearly been pivotal in providing Pellegrini with the kind of ball, as well as the time to use it - that has enabled the young fly half to blossom. Pellegrini has enjoyed the headlines, but without Chudley's influence he might have found things that little bit harder.

Replacing Chudley on Friday was another scrum half whose future at Cov must be in doubt. Will Lane did what he has so often done, coming on for the final quarter and slotting in perfectly. With Toby Venner appearing to have had a very successful trial and young Finn Ogden rumoured to be returning to Cov next season on a permanent basis rather than being out on loan, question marks about Will Lane's position remain. He certainly appears to have done all that's been asked of him and if we don't see him back at the BPA next season, then I hope he finds a place in another Championship squad as he certainly looks comfortable at this level.

Whether we finish second or third this season, the quality, and style, of the rugby played by Cov since the end of January has been an improvement on last season's (and it wasn't to shoddy then!) and that is in no small part down to Will Chudley's influence. His will be a lasting legacy even though, at just 42 games, he's not played anything like the number of games that many in the current squad have.

He's help guide us to within reach of the promised land...

Will Chudley on Saturday working with England Students

It was good to see his involvement in the England Students build-up to their game against the French Universities team yesterday. Will was out there with the backs in the warm-up and perhaps therein lies his future over the next few years.

Hopefully, Cov can make use both of his links as a coach elsewhere and perhaps even involve him in some coaching work at the club too, although with Gordon Ross (himself an international fly half- amended, thanks GB) doing such a great job at the club already, that might be overegging the pudding a little.

Good luck to him whatever path he chooses, I'm sure he'll always be given a warm reception at the BPA.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a great fan of Friday night rugby and with the gate well down on this season's average (some 700 plus below), hopefully the club will reconsider this as an option next year. That said, there were bound to be those in the crowd on Friday who can't make Saturdays because of other commitments, so for them it's a real bonus but the financial hit taken by the club must put 'Friday nights under the lights' games in doubt.

True, the weather didn't help but both evening games this season (the other being against Cambridge) have resulted in crowds under 3000 and at a time when all income generated on a match day is at a premium, then that must be a factor. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that Friday's attendance was the lowest of the season which for the final game when Cov are on such a roll, well that has to be a bit disappointing surely?

On the flip side, I guess it must be a real pain for any team travelling to the BPA on a Friday, especially from London - so maybe just Ealing next season then?

This being the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Coventry Rugby, it wasn't the best way to end the season - a bit of a damp squib really, as indeed is the case with the celebrations generally this year.

I'm really struggling to remember any time this season when I've felt part of the festivities, this coming from a season ticket holder who's attended every game home and away as well as travelling to Jersey to watch the team train.

Perhaps that's a sentiment reserved for those who've had the privilege of paying to take part in the shooting competitions or the rounds of golf or the various dinners that come at a cost, attended by rugby celebrities or otherwise. They seem to be the supporters courted most by the club these days with the result that I don't think I've ever felt as alienated as I have this season.

Such is the corporate nature of the game even at this level these days. I'm not criticising the club for putting on such activities, far from it as I appreciate it generates a lot of much need revenue. That said, and I expect it's just a 'me' thing and it's not been an issue for others, I do think it's sad that there's been nothing on match days to make supporters feel a part of the club's history, something which everyone should be celebrating, not just those with deeper than average pockets.

More on that once the season's well and truly over, perhaps.

Back to the Friday.

After a quick Greggs' roll and a fresh coffee in the car park (perhaps the club could provide some picnic tables there next season for those supporters for whom a burger and chips inside the ground is not healthy option), I endured yet another bag search before entering the ground. I swear those conducting the searches would be less interested in finding a machete and a knuckle-duster than they would a Tesco's ham and cheese sandwich and a packet of Walkers baked cheese and onion crisps (in the unlikely event that anyone from club reads this, I am being ironic).

Next season, I might see what I can secrete into the ground just for the sheer heck of it. In fact, plan it carefully and it could become a Tik Tok sensation - anyone managing to get a tofu and couscous salad with a side order of halloumi fries (cooked in naturally refined avocado oil obvs) through the turnstiles will receive a special prize.

That really would be food for heroes, for sure...

The game itself wasn't a classic and failed to live up to what many hoped would be a grand home finale, a try scoring fest on which to end the what has been a hugely enjoyable season. We've been spoiled of late and it was always going to happen at some point.

Cov put in what was, for them, a sub-par performance. That said, they still dominated Scottish for long periods of the game and had it not been for some resilient defence from the home side, combined with some poor handling and distribution, the score might well have been far more one-sided.

The rain made the ball and surface very wet and greasy and although Cov tried at times to move the ball out wide, neither try scorers supreme, Messrs. Martin and Hutler were involved for much of the game. Cov were always busy and there were plenty of times that a little more accuracy in the pass or more secure hands would have put the opposition in real trouble. However, too often play broke down and it became a bit of a stop/start affair.

There were long periods of aerial ping pong which frustrated many in the crowd, although in fairness I've grown to appreciate it a little more of late. One such exchange led to a great chase from Tobi Wilson and as a result of a knock on from the Scottish receiver, Will Wand was able to break clear for the try.

It was a question of who blinked first and, as so often has been the case this season, Cov won the kicking exchanges comfortably. They outstare most sides these days.

The forwards worked tirelessly, led by Matt Kvessic who was everywhere and deservedly earned the sponsors' Man of the Match award. The scrum was solid without being spectacular, although for a change this season, the lineout faltered at times.

Mitchell, starting in place of Pellegrini, was secure as he always is, but without Pellegrini to work his magic, the backs didn't quite carry their usual threat. In the absence of PP and Hitchcock, Tobi Wilson was the only back who really stood out for me.

At times, he seemed on a different level to any other back on the pitch, creating opportunities from 'nothing' situations. We'll miss him for sure next season - I just hope he's made the right decision. Ealing might be currently everyone's tip for promotion next year, but there's no guarantee that he's going to get a regular start given Ealing tendency a) to bring in big name players anyway and b) the fact that they ensure they have a massive squad to prevent other clubs in the Championship from recruiting players who won't even get into the Ealing match day squads (or at least that's how it seems at times - Hitchcock and Chilvers to name but two). The fact that Bainbridge and Brown haven't had a look in at Newcastle this season suggests that moving up a level isn't always in a player's best interests, other than financially for perhaps.

Even with Louis James back in the squad next season, I imagine Wilson will need replacing. Maybe a suitably chastened Louis Brown would be the man for the job!

Despite what was a strong Cov bench for the most part (it was great to see young Theo Mannion get on the pitch - he looks to have so much time with the ball. I really rate him), it was Scottish who finished the stronger of the two sides and had it not been for an organised defence in those final few minutes, it could have been a good deal closer. Scottish appear to rely less on the loanees from Quins of late and this seems to have had a very positive effect on the club's performances. They certainly didn't look a bottom two or three team on Friday and made Cov work very hard for the points.

There were, I believe, just three from Quins in the starting XV and one on the bench - perhaps this is a lesson for other Championship clubs although for those with limited resources and an injury list as long as their proverbial arm, maybe there's no other choice.

In the end, it was all about the win and keeping the pressure firmly on Pirates for the runner's up spot. With home advantage next weekend, they must be marginal favourites, especially given the result at the BPA earlier in the season. They remain the only team able to complete the double over us and with them winning away yesterday, everything hinges on Saturday down at the Mennaye.

What a game that should be...

Up the Cov!

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The best is definitely still to come.

Take it away, Frank...