Coventry Rugby 45 Bedford Blues 7 - Cov forwards dominant as Blues' wings are clipped

When it's not always raining there'll be days like this

When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this

When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch

Well, my mama told me there'll be days like this

When no one steps on my dreams there'll be days like this

When people understand what I mean there'll be days like this

When you ring out the changes of how everything is

Well, my mama told me there'll be days like this

Days Like This - Van Morrison

I've always enjoyed watching Bedford over the years, even when results haven't always gone our way.

There's an expectation of free-flowing, open rugby and the chance to see a team that excels in attacking from any part of the pitch.

Regarded by many fans as their second favourite club, it's widely known for its unpredictability which adds an element of excitement unlike any other team in the league. Rival fans are conscious that their primary danger come from their backs, and there's always that worry that, out of the blue, the ball will be passed out wide resulting in blind panic amongst the retreating defences.

If Bedford doesn't feature in the Championship Rugby's 'Try of the Week', then it comes as something of a surprise.

However, ironically, it's Bedford's unpredictability that makes them somewhat predictable, if that makes sense. Alex Rae's game plan yesterday seemed to focus on forward dominance, starving Bedford's backs of any ball so they didn't get so much as a sniff.

And it worked brilliantly.

Their wings were well and truly clipped...

And as a result, Bedford were pretty one dimensional, lacking any real ability to create the kind of chances on which they so often thrive.

Opportunities for Will Maisey to spread the ball wide were minimal and, bereft of possession and with a set of forwards that just couldn't match the physicality and presence of Cov's pack, they offered little in the way of an attacking threat for much of the game.

The Cov coaches must have looked on with great pleasure as the Cov pack took complete control in the first half and with Cov 24-0 up with 14 minutes of the first half still remaining, in reality, the game was already won. In fairness, Bedford showed more fight in the 2nd half but they still managed to lose it 21-7, their only score of the game down to a moment of madness from Liam Richman who, this apart, had another very encouraging outing.

But more on the game later.

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While there haven't been too many changes to the pitch-side facilities over the summer break, those that the club has made should be roundly applauded (although I always get to the ground early, I rarely go into the clubhouse so apologies if there are internal alterations worthy of comment, too).

The addition of another Koffman's outlet will doubtless relieve a bit of the pressure on the main sales point, although it's yet more fast food to heighten your cholesterol levels. Oh for a healthy alternative.

Much more to my liking though, is the addition of a permanent coffee 'bar' offering all the usual forms of fresh coffees. For someone who prefers not to have an alcoholic drink at a game, this is a big plus and while I've bemoaned the fact that the club hasn't always appeared to listen to supporters, the inclusion of the 'Genovese Caffe' perhaps indicates this isn't always the case, it's just the communication that is sometimes missing.

The attendance of just over 3000 was actually more than my pre-match estimate. Although it was lower than Coventry's average gate for the 2023/24 season, considering it was the first home game, overall I reckon it's quite promising. If Coventry continues this winning streak, coupled with a few enticing cup matches to look forward to, there's a good chance we'll see an uptick from last season's average of around 3400 by the end of this season.

This weekend's fixture between Cornish Pirates and Ealing, last season's top two finishers, drew 1500 fewer than ours, which makes our 3000 turnout look especially positive in comparison. The Championship has much to offer, yet when it comes to future league modifications and deciding which teams to include for next season's 14-team lineup, low attendance numbers like 902 (Ampthill vs Chinnor) don't exactly bolster the Championship's image... but that discussion is for another time.

I typically don't settle into my seat in the main stand until a few minutes before kick-off. My pre-match routine is deeply rooted; it involves walking around the pitch several times and taking a few photographs. Deviating from this ritual could spell disaster for the game's outcome. Whether accompanied by my son, as was the case yesterday, or more commonly by my grandson, we always walk around the ground in an anticlockwise direction. Ever since Cov moved to the BPA, this has been our practice.

Some players have their own pre-match rituals; we're no different—it's become a quirky, irrational part of attending home games at Coventry.

There are grounds in the Championship where it's not always possible to complete a full circuit - Donny, Cambridge, and Ealing spring to mind. Often a quiet word with those supervising the main stand to explain just how far along the spectrum I am and the anxiety it would cause if I had to reroute is enough to allow a complete 360, but not always. Visits to Darlington when in National One invariably led to a spell of counselling and last season's trip to Gloucester was a nightmare, although we did manage to walk around the outside of the stadium which helped alleviate some of the resulting trauma.

I'd totally forgotten that I shelled out an extra £18 for a cushioned seat - at just a little over a quid a game, it didn't seem like a bad deal, although, I could've done without my name being plastered on it. But hey, it was money well spent and, surprisingly, the seat was far comfier than expected. Funny how things change - a few years back, I wouldn't have even considered it, but now, with age and a less forgiving derriere, it's a luxury that comes at a very reasonable price.

Eat your heart out Cyril Lord...

Another big tick for the club.

I think I'm going soft in my dotage, rather like my backside tbf).

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Bedford experienced a disastrous first half with very few things going their way. Not only were they completely outplayed, it also seemed like luck wasn't on their side either with all the close decisions going against them. Whether it was the ball bouncing unfavourably, contentious referee calls, or dropped balls miraculously benefiting Coventry and punishing Bedford, for the travelling supporters who had made the journey up to Cov, it was very much a half to forget.

For all the positives that came out of that first 40 minutes, if I were Alex Rae it would be the second half performance that would have pleased me most. After such a mediocre first half, Bedford were always going to come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders after the break. Yes, the game was already over as a genuine contest barring something very untoward happening, but the visitors had a point to prove (or to gain) and it looked like they might make it more of a contest when, 4 minutes in, they scored after we failed to clear a kick into our own 22 despite having plenty of time to do so.

A quick response from Cov in the form of a penalty try just three minutes later negated any remote chance of some sort of comeback. However, for a few minutes Bedford the proceeded to camp themselves on our line and a series of penalties against us eventually ended with Nayalo receiving a yellow. Bedford continued to batter the Coventry line but Cov's defence held good and even though our line was crossed, the ball was held up and Cov were able to eventually clear the danger.

After that, Bedford had little else to offer, but for 8 or 9 minutes and a man down Cov had to work hard and that they prevented Bedford from scoring speaks volumes. Indeed, a well marshalled defence gave Bedford nothing for virtually the entire game. There were very few missed tackles and at times there were some big hits, particularly one from Nairua in the first half and another from Oli Morris in the second.

It was an afternoon when pretty much everything went Cov's way

'When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this

When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch

Well, my mama told me there'll be days like this'

Currently, Rae enjoys the advantage of a bench brimming with options. The depth is such that Cov could happily start the game against Cambridge with the eight players on the bench from Saturday's game, confident there would be no significant drop in strength.

A front five comprising Warren, Poole, Johnson, Anstey, and Tyas would hold their own against any team in this league, and Okeke, Lane, and Robson have also staked their claim for inclusion. The added benefit is that Rae doesn't have to overplay any of his big guns with all the added problems that can cause with injuries and potential burnout.

Rae has so far ensured his substitutes have received ample playing time, Opoku being the one exception. Among the season's new signings coming off the bench on Saturday, Robson particularly impressed with his speed and sharpness. He may not have the physical stature of Steff Davies, but his strength and willingness to take on opponents were evident.

I did feel for Davies yesterday; he was solid under the high ball and, on the few occasions he found open space, Cov infringements brought play back and he was left very much rueing the missed opportunity. Robson's cameo will be what sticks in the mind rather than Davies' competent performance.

Coventry's backs didn't really get going, although they were very much part of the defensive wall that squeezed Bedford dry all afternoon. Liam Richman did unlock both Martin and Hutler with pin point cross kicks, something we didn't see against Scottish and both wingers took their chances really well and if they stay fit, they look as if once again they're going to score a hatful of tries this season.

Aaron (how ironic is that) Hinkley was rightly awarded the sponsors' MofM and of the signings this season, he looks to be up there with the best. He's very athletic, has a frightening turn of speed over a short distance and looks like he's not averse to putting himself about a bit. I'd be surprised if any side in the league can boast a stronger sextet of back rowers than Ball, Nayalo, Okeke, Owen and Kvesic.

Better still, there's enough flexibility in there to allow Rae the luxury of leaving out Tyas and Anstley and putting Nayalo in at 5 - it was a masterstroke and there was little Bedford could do to counter it.

Perhaps the only downside to the whole game was the number of penalties Coventry conceded in the second half. To win by 38 points and in the process give away 14 penalties (according to Paul Smith's article in The Rugby Paper) is rare and whilst perhaps illustrating the dominance Cov had, against stronger sides in tighter games, that would be a real problem. I'm sure that will be something mentioned in the Monday morning debriefs.

Two games in and we've scored more and conceded fewer points than Championship favourites Ealing. Rae must be delighted with the progress this squad is making and the more momentum there is, the bigger the juggernaut it becomes. As a supporter, yes promotion is an end goal certainly, but what I really want to see is progress over the course of a season and from one season to the next.

We're seeing that and even without the likes of Chudley, Pellegrini, Rigg, Wand, Wilson and the rest, this looks potentially an even stronger squad.

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Any neutral observing the game yesterday would have had no difficulty in identifying which of the two teams was full-time. The gap was evident for all see. That it isn't always the case is what makes this league as enjoyable and entertaining as any and why the Caldy and Ampthills of this world always up their game against us.

On a final note, it was interesting to read Nick Johnston's comments in the 'I' this week - he reckons Cov has only the fifth highest playing budget in the Championship.

Fifth?

So, who's ahead of us, then?

Ealing presumably, along with Donny. But then it gets interesting. Pirates stated over the summer that because of financial concerns all its players are on contracts only up until January so it would seem odd that it would over commit itself to that extent. But even if it is the case, it still leaves one semi-professional club with a bigger playing budget than Cov.

Bedford, perhaps? Hard to see who else unless Chinnor have a generous backer...?

Anyway...on to Cambridge next weekend and a slice of their famous pizza.

Not for me of course, although it remains Josh's favourite ground for food.

No, with no bag checks at Granchester Road, it's a Tesco's meal deal and a flask of coffee.

Heaven.

Up the Cov.

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