By Nick M
February 11 2023

Last season, after the group stage of the Championship Cup, Coventry progressed through the knockout states - the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, to the final at Ealing Trailfinders, losing narrowly there. What are Coventry's prospects this season, as the group stage comes to an end?

First of all, we won't get through to the quarter finals - there are none. As the Championship grew back to twelve teams from eleven, each team gained two matches in the league, one home and one away, and so the RFU cut the quarter final round from the cup, going instead directly to two semi-finals involving four teams.

So, with the group stages having been in three groups of four, the semi-finals will involve the three group winners, and the best performing second placed team.

Coventry are in group 2, currently in second place on 16 points, behind Doncaster on 20. To progress as group winners we would have to beat London Scottish on Friday, ideally with 5 league points (otherwise it gets complicated), and Doncaster have to lose at Bedford on Saturday, ideally with 0 league points.

The other teams in our group cannot catch Coventry or Doncaster.

The alternative route for Coventry to progress would be as the best second place, so this is where the other groups can affect us.

In group one, Ealing Trailfinders are currently on 21 points and Jersey 20. For Coventry to overtake either one, they would  need to lose: either Ealing away to Hartpury, or Jersey at home to Nottingham, both matches, like Coventry on Friday night. Added to this Coventry would need to win, as previously. This route seems unlikely - whichever of Ealing or Jersey is second in this group will almost certainly go through as the best place loser to play Cornish Pirates, as the winners of group 3.

Finishing off on group 1, neither of the other teams can progress, even if they get a shock result against the group leaders.

Finally to group 3. Cornish Pirates have already won the group, and go through. Ampthill are in a similar position to Coventry, would need similar results to Coventry, and would also need a good win against Cornish Pirates in Ampthill next Saturday.

So, it's odds on it will all be decided next Friday night. Apart from our own team winning well, with a faint chance we may be hanging on for the Bedford result on Saturday.

Then we have a week off to regrow chewed finger nails.

The update: What now in the cup?

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 11/02/2023 22:28

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
11/02/2023 22:28

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:25:12:23:15 by Kimbo.

Reply Quote Report

R. W. End
12/02/2023 20:41

5 league points. A win and two bonus points
or am I missing something here ?

Reply Quote Report

OldNick
12/02/2023 21:32

Quote:

R. W. End
5 league points. A win and two bonus points
or am I missing something here ?

I'm clearly missing something in the question. There is no way of winning with two bonus points.

Reply Quote Report

R. W. End
12/02/2023 21:55

Exactly Nick. How do we get 5 league points on Friday against Scottish. How is the cup scored ?

Reply Quote Report

R. W. End
12/02/2023 22:29

Sorry Nick. Got my football head on. 4 win points plus a bonus. Blonde moment

Reply Quote Report

OldNick
12/02/2023 22:38

Quote:

R. W. End
Sorry Nick. Got my football head on. 4 win points plus a bonus. Blonde moment

No problem. Yes, just like in the league.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:13:13:17:23 by OldNick.

Reply Quote Report

covkid1953
14/02/2023 11:59

A complete waste of time. Game time for games sake. The big fish will always win this "league".

Reply Quote Report

titchywinger
14/02/2023 12:32

A waste of time? 1600 attendance and bar takings etc. Would probably mean that £20,000 + went into the coffers. Not to be sniffed at I reckon.

Reply Quote Report

Billyboy
14/02/2023 13:35

I agree not a waste of time. I think we've had some pretty good entertainment in the 3 home games I've attended. Also we have a faint chance of getting through to the semi.

Reply Quote Report

MJ70
15/02/2023 08:32

I really hope that the small chance we have of qualifying comes off.
It was incredible last year getting to the final and support was amazing.
I also hope those at knock this competition don't bother turning up and enjoying themselves and sit in their own arm chair on semi final/ final match day keeping to their principles .....

Reply Quote Report

Egg Timer
15/02/2023 17:03

Quote:

covkid1953
A complete waste of time. Game time for games sake. The big fish will always win this "league".

We're becoming quite a large fish ourselves...

Reply Quote Report

HoboAl
17/02/2023 20:21

Just go out and give it our best. Develop as as team. The rest will look after itself.

Reply Quote Report

OldNick
17/02/2023 22:19

Well, tonight's matches all went with form

Ealing win group 1 and progress

Jersey are the best performing second place, and progress

Cornish Pirates had already won group 3 and progress.

Coventry lead group 2, but Doncaster play tomorrow at Bedford. Two points or more and Doncaster go through. Fewer and Coventry do.

Reply Quote Report

HoboAl
18/02/2023 18:08

Bedford 42 Doncaster 42
Doncaster win group and progress

Reply Quote Report

covkid1953
19/02/2023 20:49

Better to have a straight knock out cup, more exciting because the big fish get one chance to progress.
3 leagues is games for games sake.

Reply Quote Report

Tip (JJ Teeling)
22/02/2023 20:46

And income

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net