Coventry 15 – Blaydon 37

[match id=105]

Having lost just once at home thus far in the current campaign Coventry surprisingly were swept aside by the ferocity of the Blaydon pack and had no answer to their lively backs, who between them ran in 6 excellent tries. A crowd in excess of 1300 were silenced early on as Blaydon took control from the 13th minute to the end when a last ditch try gave the score-line a little more respectability for the home side.

Coventry centre Ollie Hodgson put over the first points of the game with a 3rd minute penalty but Blaydon were swift to respond and it was no surprise when No8 Jason Smithson touched down from a driving maul. With the dust scarcely settled Coventry fatally lost the ball in attack and could only stand and watch as Zack Kibirige hacked on and raced through to score.

Home pressure was rewarded when Barrie Davies grabbed a 17th minute try but the Blaydon onslaught continued and in no time Kibirige was over again in the corner for his 4th double in as many games, and at the break it was 8-15.

For practically all of the second period it was one-way traffic towards the Coventry line with Tom Penny scoring the first of 3 more tries following a superb handling movement. Full-back Nathan Bailey, on his return to the side after extended injury, was on hand to finish off another flowing move, this one converted by Andrew Baggett who then put over a penalty to take it to 8-30.

Flanker Harry Bate crowned a brilliant afternoon for the Crow Trees boys when he added try No6 from a rolling maul, and although Will Hurrell scored an 80th minute consolation for the home side, converted by Hodgson, it was another bonus point win for Baydon who now move above their Midlands rivals in the league.

John Brennan