DEFENCE coach James Pritchard was pleased to see a reaction from Coventry as they recorded an eight-try victory over Fylde in National League One on Saturday.
An inconsistent season so far saw Coventry taste a heavy defeat away at Esher seven days earlier, but Coventry bounced back quickly by beating Fylde 53-24 at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday.
“We wanted a response from the boys, we wanted them to come out and basically show they wanted to play for the shirt,” said Pritchard.
“We felt last week wasn’t good enough and wasn’t what we’re about as a team, so we asked for a response and I thought they brought it.”
The game was very much still in the balance at half-time with Coventry leading by just five points at half-time.
Jack Willis scored his first try for the club and a penalty try, a James Stokes score and two penalties from Will Maisey put the hosts 22-17 ahead.
After the break Coventry stepped their performance up a gear with Howe claiming the bonus point and Andy Brown scored soon after.
Rob Knox scored a superb individual try to put Coventry out of sight before Willis claimed his second try in injury-time and there was still time for Owain James to cross and Maisey converted for 13 personal points.
“We were by no means perfect, we are still a work in progress, but it’s little things at a time,” Pritchard continued.
“We wanted the guys to take it to Fylde, we know the sort of game they like to play and we wanted to match it which I think we did.
“No-one’s getting carried away by this performance, we’re by no means a finished product and this week is going to be a big one for us because we haven’t put two wins together on the bounce just yet.”
Having brought an unwanted three-match losing streak to an end, Coventry now prepare for Plymouth Albion at home on Saturday where Pritchard will be looking for a similar performance.
He added: “That is our big goal now – at the moment we’ve been able to win at home and then when we go away, we haven’t been able to back it up the next week.
“We are looking good in our structures and our defence is coming. There are times when its letting us down and personally I still think we are giving away too many tries, but as a defence coach I’m never going to be happy unless the scoreboard is zero.
“But attack-wise, it’s there or thereabouts. We are showing glimpses and you can see the progress.”
