By Steve Kimberley
November 18 2023

With games split two to three over Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, there were some intriguing ties in the offing.

Turning to Friday's clashes first, Nottingham flew out of the traps with an early try to shake Champions-elect Ealing. The visitors, however, upped their game somewhat to eventually run out winners by 38 points to 26 (5t-4t) at Lady Bay, with the Archers keeping them honest with four tries from wingman David Williams. The result leaves Ealing still on a 100% record at the head of the Championship.

Attendance: 1208

Hapless London Scottish maintained their poor start with a home drubbing from surprise package Ampthill, who slipped into second place with a 36-10, five tries to two victory. They'll be dancing on the sandy slopes of Bedfordshire tonight...

Attendance: 763

Moving on to Saturday, Cambridge would have been keen to pick up points at Grantchester Road against the travelling Hartpury side, but it was not to be as they crashed by 22 to 40 with the visitors taking the try bonus point, although the home side did also manage to gain a try-bonus for their efforts in a 22-40 (1-5) defeat.

Attendance: 1085

Cornish Pirates faced a gritty Caldy side at the Mennaye, and came up trumps with a strong 49-22 bonus point win, with the visitors failing to gain a point, scoring three tries.

Attendance: 1454

Perhaps the most intriguing tie of the weekend, though, was the always hotly-contested match-up between the Yorkshire heavyweights Doncaster, and Cov in front of a big BPA crowd. Donny would have had their eye fixed on vengeance for last season's mauling at the BPA, when they were arguably understrength, and subsequently continued to struggle somewhat for the rest of the season.

Cov had different ideas though, taking an early lead with an unconverted Rigg try, which was more than cancelled out five minutes later to set the tally at 5-7. Cov were having none of it however, and took a vice-like grip of the game, conceding no further points while dotting down a further seven times. Rigg doubled his day's tally, centre partner Will Wand chipped in, as did replacement Titherington, full back Wilson, fifty-cap man Martin, top scorer Hutler, and lock Tyas. Pellegrini added eleven from the boot, including, shock, a penalty, taking the day's total to 51, with Donny only managing that early converted try for seven points.

Cov seem to have gelled - but will need to carry that process through to next weekend if they are to make ground on runaway leaders Ealing in the fixture of the week in the capital.

Attendance: 3417

Ealing: Played 4, Points 20

Ampthill: 4,16

Doncaster: 4,14

Coventry: 3, 11

Nottingham: 4, 11

C. Pirates: 3, 10

Bedford: 3, 9

Hartpury: 4, 6

Caldy: 4, 6

Cambridge: 4, 3

L. Scottish: 3, 0

Week Four: Home Comforts

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 19/11/2023 09:16

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
19/11/2023 09:16

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:26:17:10:15 by Kimbo.

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Old Faithful
19/11/2023 18:32

Many thanks once again for your overview Steve.

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