RUGBY UNION: COVENTRY made it a perfect ten out of ten on Saturday against Caldy to continue their dominance at the top of the National League One table.
Though it proved not to be Coventry’s best performance of the season, the win did mean Rowland Winter’s men chalked up their 18th victory on the spin to extend the club’s remarkable unbeaten record.
With several men returning from injury, Winter started with new combinations across the field. And Caldy made the most of Cov’s tactical change to take the game to them.
Caldy’s Louis McGowan, who had two playing spells at Coventry, crashed over after a break by James Otutaha – also a former Coventry man.
Coventry were soon level when Scott Tolmie finished off from 20 metres after breaks by Tom Kessell and James Stokes.
Minutes later, Coventry took the lead for the first time when Anthony Matoto applied a clinical finish in the right corner as Winter’s men led 12-7.
Caldy were finding the pace of Cov’s game difficult to contain, but the handling errors crept into Coventry’s game.
Despite this, Max Trimble got on the scoreboard on 25 minutes with Maisey providing his second conversion.
The bonus-point followed six minutes later after Matoto surged down the right to earn Coventry a 26-7 lead at the break.
A healthy Butts Park crowd then witnessed a flat period of play where Coventry failed to make their chances count and were held by a determined Caldy side.
With momentum on their side, Caldy registered their second try of the game to peg Cov’s lead back to 12 points.
But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Coventry struck twice in quick succession in the closing minutes, winning the game 38-14.
Coventry are next in action Old Elthamians this Saturday away from home.
Coventry: tries Matoto 2 (14, 76), Tolmie (11), Trimble (25), Fenner (31), Stokes (79); conversions: Maisey 4 (11, 26, 32, 77).
Caldy: tries McGowan (5), Roberts (47); conversions Roberts 2.
Attendance: 1,587.
