COVENTRY’s disappointing run in National League One continued on Saturday after they lost 26-8 on the road at Blaydon.
The Blues & Whites have won just two games in nine matches since the turn of the year and that unwanted statistic never looked like ending at the Crow Trees Ground, a place where Coventry have not won in their last six visits.
Injuries once again hampered the visitors with Rob Knox and Ryan Hough withdrawing late, while Cliffie Hodgson’s season is all but over after more shoulder problems and a yellow card to Ben Thomas for pulling down a rolling maul did not help.
Playing against a strong wind, Coventry had conceded three of the tries by half time with winger Zach Kibirige pouncing for the first on six minutes after reacting the quickest to a ball which squirted around in the wet.
And Blaydon’s top try scorer Jason Smithson claimed another two tries from line out drives, with Baggett converting two of the three to put the home side in control.
The hosts did go down to 14 men and Coventry took advantage with hooker Matt Price scoring their only try of the game, while Hodgson had kicked an earlier penalty.
In the second half Coventry had the elements in their favour but they were unable to add to their tally before Blaydon killed the game off in the final quarter.
The visitors were shoved back over their own line and the referee awarded the home side a penalty try to seal a bonus point with Baggett scoring the conversion to complete the scoring.
Speaking after the game, Coventry’s head of rugby Scott Morgan said: “We absolutely need to start winning with some really big games coming up with teams below us in the table and we’ve got to get it right.”
Coventry now have a break before they take on second from bottom Cinderford on March 19.
