Nottingham 15 Coventry Rugby 34 - Cov ease past Nottingham in final quarter as Opoku's good luck is Martin's misfortune

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework

Come on, show ’em what you’re worth

Make ’em go, “Oh, oh, oh”

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you’re a firework

Come on, let your colours burst

Make ’em go, “Oh, oh, oh”

You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awe

How awesome is that!

Firework - Katy Perry

Even though Katy Perry provided the pre-match motivation as 'Firework' rang out minutes before kick-off and Coventry Rugby scored six tries in a match that didn't quite reach the anticipated levels of excitement, Cov fans were left not so much in awe but more with a further sense of the team's potential following a spirited, if not totally convincing, display from the visitors.

What is clear is that if Cov can eventually put a full 80 minutes together, then teams far better than Nottingham will struggle to live with them. However, last night Coventry frequently lost possession at the breakdown and faced challenges in the scrum, leading to a stop/start performance in a match where they were penalised by the referee far too frequently in both areas.

That said, for me Cov looked more comfortable and confident than they have in the previous three Championship games against Cambridge, Chinnor and Caldy and against opposition that have already had some impressive performances under their belts this season, notably wins against Doncaster and Scottish away and narrow defeats to Ealing and Pirates at home.

Top of both the Championship and their Premiership Cup group, perhaps it's a bit harsh to be in any way critical of a team that remains unbeaten, but Cov have yet to reach the heights in terms of performance that they achieved for much of last season and with the likes of Leicester, Northampton, Pirates and Ealing still to come before Christmas, the quality of opposition is only going to get tougher.

The loss of James Martin before the game meant David Opoku was brought onto the bench and he found himself on the pitch probably sooner than he might have imagined as a replacement for Steff Davies after the break. Added to that, Liam Richman limped off after 65 minutes. Hopefully none of these are long term concerns, but Martin and Richman are worries with both Leicester and Northampton looming large and Davies had a very encouraging 40 minutes before his departure, looking dangerous in attack and somehow winning possession when Nottingham looked set to score just metres from our line.

However, there's strength in depth and if Richman, in particular, isn't fit and it's too soon for the return of Tommy Mathews, then there's always Theo Mannion waiting in the wings - or at fly half anyway. A few seasons ago a young, unheralded Evan Mitchell was good enough to face the likes of Ealing, so it's perhaps an opportunity for Mannion to show his potential, too.

---

Nottingham is another in the line of good old-fashioned rugby clubs, not borne of new money and very traditional in what it has to offer its supporters. Despite a relatively disappointing attendance of a little over 1200, there was a decent atmosphere at Lady Bay last night, helped by a fair few Coventry supporters who had either made their way over independently or travelled on the official CRSC coach.

The choice of food was limited, with burgers, chips and pizza being the main fare available and again based on the unofficial 'Josh' rankings, Nottingham's catering and refreshment resulted in a rather disappointing 4th place so far, just behind Cov but above Scottish who remain rooted to the bottom.

Me, I felt his decision was a bit harsh as the coffee van was an added bonus and the burgers looked appetising enough, if not a little on the expensive side...

So, as of this weekend, the current standings are;

1. Caldy

2. Cambridge

3. Coventry

4. Nottingham

5. London Scottish

The DJ was fantastic and certainly enhanced the ambiance, especially with a relatively small crowd. While we had seats in the main stand, both the younger generations of the Smith family nowadays prefer to stand at the pitch side, relishing the noise and the up-close intensity of the game. As for me, I simply prefer the cushioned seats and a roof over my head, but I suppose that's just an age thing really.

Given Cov's proclivity these days to score more tries than they concede, we've tended to stand on the 22-metre line at the end Cov are attacking, something that has worked well in terms of watching more of us with the ball than of the opposition. I think it's a truism to say that at every away game I've been to, Cov's supporters make far more noise than those of the opposition on a one-to-one, being more vocal and, for the most part, more entertaining.

As they tend to stand together in groups, these pockets of support can be clearly heard from the pitch and are often acknowledged by the replacements as they walk past on their regular warm-ups during the match.

It's clearly something the players appreciate and often the home supporter will express their respect and admiration...Cov are the best supported team away from home and for clubs with relatively small attendances, they provide some much-needed additional income on a match day.

This is going to be somewhat controversial, but I'm coming round to the view that whatever the moral reasons against a return at this level for Worcester, Irish and Wasps, purely on a financial basis, the Championship desperately needs them and the interest they would generate.

Yesterday, Pirates were completely sold out for the visit of Exeter, and a similar scenario is expected for most Championship clubs hosting Premiership teams in the Cup in the coming weeks. The excitement is palpable when the top teams come to play. Despite the debates over the potential return of franchises, the Championship will struggle to attract the necessary investment with attendances ranging between 1000 and 2000. Championship clubs may need to make a tough decision to either embrace the return of franchises or face the prospect of accumulating more debt with limited growth opportunities for most clubs in the league.

Present practices are currently unstainable, and several clubs, including the Pirates, are facing real financial difficulties. While it may be more appropriate to address this topic in a separate post, it is crucial that we do not solely focus on our justified moral concerns regarding the financial practices of clubs like Wasps, Worcester, and Irish and the impacts that's had on local businesses and communities.

Failure to consider the broader implications could jeopardise the future of the sport at this level.

Apologies, I digress...

---

Back to the game.

For the first 60 minutes, Nottingham proved dogged and resilient. Cov went into the break deservedly in the lead, but Notts had had a couple of good chances and had it not been for another concerted defensive effort, Notts might have found themselves less than 9 points behind at the break.

That said, Cov saw plenty of the ball and got themselves into a number of attacking positions themselves only to lose possession at the breakdown or incur the wrath of a referee who seemed reluctant to let the play flow. I know Steve Boden has worked really hard to get both the scrum and the breakdown to a level that will make Cov competitive against the very best the Championship has to offer, but after a really encouraging start in both areas we remain inconsistent...at times winning penalties, yet at others giving away good ball through poor execution.

The opposition we've played up to now haven't been good enough to take advantage of our profligacy but the teams we're soon to face will be and if we continue in the same vein, achieving results of this nature will become that much harder. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I'm only voicing what the coaches have previously said anyway. Fortunately, defensively we've looked very sharp and whilst in attack we haven't always made the most of the possession we've enjoyed, we're getting there.

I thought the backs looked much more dangerous yesterday, with Tiueti and Hitchcock having their best game together so far at 12 and 13. Davies stood out before his injury and despite a yellow for Opoku, he made one try and scored another and certainly doesn't look out of place at this level (and he's the only player with his own terrace chant!). It's good to see the youngster make the most of the opportunities being offered to him, that's all he can do at the moment with Hutler, Martin and Robson in currently in front of him in the pecking order. But good things do come to those who wait.

Hinkley and Kvesic were everywhere yesterday and the lineout performed well the whole game. Nottingham looked really solid in this area too, and we seldom challenged on their throw in the first half. In previous games, Tom Ball has made a real nuisance of himself on the opposition throw but we saw very little of this side of his game yesterday.

James Tyas and Dan Green both did well when they came on and I do wonder, provided he's back to full fitness, whether Tyas should start for the next couple of games. His experience is invaluable and watching from the sidelines, he's always very vocal and full of encouragement, as well as leading by example too. He was really influential last season so perhaps is due a starting berth now?

Will Lane was the definition of a utility back yesterday, playing in three different positions and again getting himself on the scoresheet following what was arguably the best move of the match. Charlie Robson took over kicking duties when Liam Richman went off and whilst he looks dangerous with ball-in-hand, that's not quite the case with ball-to-foot.

Another 6 tries and another bonus point, too but in truth it was a game in which Coventry flattered to deceive a little.

The thing though about Cov, and the thing I love most about them, is that generally speaking, the better the opposition, the bigger the performance, so I firmly believe that against Leicester next week, Cov will find another level still. Against the Caldys, Ampthills and Hartpurys of the Championship, sometimes watching Cov can be a little frustrating but when push comes to shove, they're a side that save their best for the big occasions...

...although when push came to shove in the scrums yesterday, too often the referee was anything but impressed.

The cauldron that is Welford Road next week is going to be something special and a chance for Cov to lay down a marker not just for the Cup competition but to the rest of the league and beyond. A good showing and it guarantees bumper crowds both for Saints the following week at home as well as the return fixture at the BPA in the New Year, plus the possibility of tv coverage and all that goes with such notable opposition.

I'm sure that won't be on the players' minds, they'll be solely focused on the game itself, but Jon Sharp and the Cov Board...it's got to be, hasn't it?

The Cup competition has its detractors but I'm certainly not one of them - the opportunity to visit the home of the Tigers and to watch the team test itself against some of the very best youngsters in the country, as well as a few seasoned pros, is what the game has to be about at this level if promotion isn't currently on the agenda.

Personally, I can't wait.

Fireworks might have lit up the skies around Lady Bay last night, and indeed Nottingham lit a few of their own to greet their team as they entered the arena before kick-off, but it was Cov who lit the fuse, albeit a slow-burning one, on the pitch and in the end it was they who brightened the game in the final few minutes with some attacking rugby that was as good as anything we've seen from them so far this season.

But it was a performance that in the end was as encouraging as it was frustrating to watch but nevertheless one that might even have had Katy Perry singing their praises...

Up the Cov!

---