By AdminBTCov
December 24 2018

As the year draws to a close, it's time to wish everyone connected with our great club a very merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy new year.

What has been a reasonably successful first half (nearly!) season has seen many of the club's players grow in stature, with some fine performances from most of the existing 2017/18 squad, for me, defining proceedings so far.

The likes of Tony Fenner, utility back extraordinaire, and Max Trimble out on the wing just go to underline that. Fenner has, in my view, improved immensely in all areas of his game since his arrival, and has now made himself an almost indispensable ingredient in the matchday squad. Trimble, also, continues to grow. Shrugging off the disappointment of injury he's now showing his pace in spades, and a confidence that is clearly apparent, which has resulted in a hatful of classy tries. No more the kick-ahead and run Max we used to know. No, he's now a ball-in-hand and run-round-the-defender speedster. A sheer joy to watch. Would it be remiss of me to say that he reminds me of an Andy Smallwood in full flow?

Staying with the backs, Will Maisey has deservedly and irrefutably shaken off the challenge of Jake Sharp to make the 10 slot his own, and what a kicker he still is. And in Pete White he now has superb service. Fast, flat, and almost unerringly intelligent distribution from the base. Another one who has improved almost beyond recognition. Tom Kessell ain't too shabby neither! 

In the midfield, Sammy continues in the same vein as ever. What needs to be said? Pure class. Still. And Bobby Knox. I'm in danger of overdoing it with the 'improvements' thing here, but what else can you say about Rob. A Cov Kid through and through, and so proud of it. We've not seen too much of Heath Stevens as yet, due to injury, but we all know what he can do. 

Seriously, we haven't a poor back at the moment. All, when fit, enhance the side, and can justifiably have a claim to be in the 22, impossible as that is.

One of the main fears, I think, at the start of the season, was that the squad may be a little light up front, and looking at some of the monster packs in the league, that fear may have been justified. However, I struggle to remember too many games where we've been comprehensively outplayed there, and several when the opposition have been made to look somewhat ordinary at times. Mobility has its plus points, and this pack is as mobile as any, and with the likes of George Oram, who is yet another improver, Boults, Gibbons, Tolmie, and THAT back row, we can look forward to quite a few more wins this season I believe.

Sorry; I can't mention all the players individually as I'd be here all day, but they know who they are, and they can all be sure we're very, very proud of them.

There were fears, pre-season, from some that the first term back at Championship level, after so long away was going to be a brutal awakening. No doubt, the level of skill, size, and downright power on show from all our oppponents thus far has been eye-opening, but the Coventry squad has stood up exceedingly well to everything that has been thrown at it.

Yes, away form has been patchy to say the least, and it would have been nice to see a win on the road, but conversely, there have been no out-and-out stuffings handed out so far (OK, Ealing made hay, but at least Cov scored a respectable total) and with a little more cohesion now apparent it's surely only a matter of time before that first W is on the board.

Home form has been a revelation at times. Wins over Bedford, Jersey, Doncaster, Leeds and Scottish have given the side the kind of start to life at level 2 that many sides would have given their collective right arms for over the past few years. Even the currently high-flying and luxuriously-funded Ealing had to take it on the chin when they first rose to this level.

Yes, four wins and a draw from ten league matches, with five bonus points accrued is not to be sniffed at in a debut season, particularly when one takes into account the number of appearances from players who were part of that National One winning squad. Who'd a thunk it?

So, to finish where I started: may I just wish you and your families all the very best for Christmas and New Year, and joyous anticipation of the second half of the season as the building blocks continue to be put in place for an even more successful 2019/20 season to come.

Seasons Wishes to All

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 24/12/2018 15:00

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
24/12/2018 15:00

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:05:11:39:21 by AdminBTCov.

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Mark7070
24/12/2018 16:20

Totally agree. Must put Tom Jubb in the wow factor performers this season too.
Looks like he belongs at this level, ball in hand and in the tight he packs a hell of a punch and impact.
Really good so many of last seasons title winners have stept up seamlessly.
With a bit better luck and guille we could of had a couple more wins in the bag.

Anyway Merry Christmas all and wishing for a winning new year ! ( and the championship cup)

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AdminBTCov
24/12/2018 16:31

Agreed about Jubby, but like I said, too many to mention!
Not sure that the cup might not be a step too far this term though, but it'd be nice

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Cov_InPeace
24/12/2018 20:35

I don't think there's much to add to that. We've come a long way in the last year, who knows what the next one holds - new pitch, new stand(s), maybe even a tilt at the big time...

Merry Christmas all,

Russ.

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Mark7070
24/12/2018 22:01

Quote:

Cov_InPeace
I don't think there's much to add to that. We've come a long way in the last year, who knows what the next one holds - new pitch, new stand(s), maybe even a tilt at the big time...
Merry Christmas all,

Russ.

If we give the ball to the backs in away matches then the skys the limit, they can score loads at home so lets wish for santa to convince the management to feed them and let them loose on our travels too

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