By Steve Kimberley
April 18 2022

YOU could probably say this for the whole season if you were being uncharitable, but, there's little to update on just now.   But, for the sake of keeping this knackered old train on the tracks, here goes.

That Championship Cup Thing: Ampthill came and went, and as many feared, was something of an anticlimax. Fast out of the blocks, Cov were seemingly strolling to another away victory to add to the highs of Bedford and Richmond, but, ever willing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the Blue 'n' Whites proceeded to ship a rake of tries in front of a spartan 563 souls, while gathering a raft of yellow cards, to walk away with just the one bonus point at 27-21.

Tries from Messrs Poole (on three minutes) Burrows (12m) and Martin (65), all topped up by Mitchell, were insufficient to garner the other bonus, as Ampthill ran in four, with the final one just prior to No Side being not enough to deny Cov their consolation.

However, as Coach Rae rightly pointed out, it's just half-time, and Cov are usually a very different proposition at the BPA.

Let's hope he's right.

National One Warming up Nicely: One level down from the Championship, things are not really going to plan for some of the established and more fancied sides. Rosslyn Park have huffed and puffed for most of the season, yet, as some of the slightly more, er, niggardly types like to point out, they appear to have blown it.

OK, that might be more true if they'd continued their less than stellar form into the weekend and had failed to overcome close rivals Cambridge, but still they lag behind Sale FC in the race for the second (maybe; over to Ealing and the RFU/PRL etc. here for a resolution on that one), while the guaranteed promotion of first place seems increasingly beyond them.

With Caldy in a rich vein of form and seven points clear, it's theirs to lose now, even given that the chasing pack of Sale, Cambridge, and Park all have a game in hand.

I may be wrong, but I don't believe that Cambridge, Sale, or Caldy have ever graced level two (I stand to be corrected) so there are potentially new grounds to visit for Championship followers, but not us!

Whoever makes it though, it seems unlikely that the travelling pool of visiting supporters will be increased by very much even given Ealing's notoriously poor following being taken out of circulation... hopefully.

Oh for a decisive ruling body so that everyone knows exactly where they stand so close to season end. Too much to hope for? Of course it is.

Betteridge on his Way? Back-rower Fred Betteridge has certainly picked up a bit of attention this season, having been handed his chance in the first team following injuries to the likes of Tiki Nayalo and Ryan Burrows. If reports that Saracens and Worcester have run the rule over the impressive youngster are true then it's kudos to both him and the club for making the most of things after his switch from Northampton Academy. There are always mixed feelings when the Prem sides come a-looking, but you can only feel happy for the boys taking the step up, and wish them well for the future.

I just hope it's not too early for Fred, as a career as a water-boy and occasional run-outs in the Prem Cup is definitely not what he'll be looking for.

Anyway, see you at the BPA for the 'second half'.

The Update (18/4/22)

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 18/04/2022 14:21

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
18/04/2022 14:21

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:04:25:15:23:54 by Kimbo.

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Cov kid 42
19/04/2022 14:44

Yes Steve you are spot on, none of the 3 clubs you list from NL1 have ever graced level 2 before.

And yes I also agree with you. Not wishing to hold young Fred back, you cannot help feel a move to Saracens or Worcester now would be a step too soon.

And thirdly, fingers crossed Saturday's result will not see the end of our playing season. Cornish Pirates or Doncaster home & away, mighty tough, but who knows. We have get there first though !!!
JB

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HoboAl
20/04/2022 16:57

With Buzz hanging up his boots, hopefully Fred will see staying at the club will further his career more than moving on up?

I was hoping Rosslyn Park would get promoted. Especially after witnessing Ampthill fans rounding on and booing their kicker when taking a potentially match winning last kick penalty at Ampthill the year the A's got promoted. That win was crucial in getting A's up.

As for Caldy not a fan of their brand of rugby. The spoiling tactics, the running down the clock at every opportunity. Where tactics straddle the fine line between game management and cheating. Feel free to disagree, but it is how they come across to me.

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