Fenner: Crucial next 4 games are must-wins
FOUR ‘must-win’ games is how Coventry back Tony Fenner is approaching the club’s remaining fixtures in the calendar year.
Two weeks after suffering only a second IPA Greene King Championship defeat of the season to unbeaten title favourites Newcastle Falcons, the Blue and Whites reconvene their Championship Cup commitments with the visit of Ampthill to the Butts Park Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Trips to Bedford Blues and Ealing Trailfinders follow in December as Cov bid to secure a quarter-final place before Nottingham visit the Butts Park Arena on Saturday, December 21 to round of the calendar year fixtures.
“We’ve hit these next four weeks and games as must-wins,” said the 29-year-old back. “It is crucial. This weekend is a big opportunity to reach a quarter final.”
It is Cov’s first chance to right the wrongs of a 46-7 loss at Kingston Park when Dean Richard’s side ran home six tries in an emphatic home victory.
For Fenner, who signed a new deal in January to remain at the club until the end of the 2021/22 season, it was a chastening but important reminder of the standard Cov must reach if they are to challenge for promotion.
“I think they set the bar two Saturdays ago,” said Fenner, who has played club rugby in Italy, France, New Zealand and South Africa. “They really taught us a lesson in a number of areas. It is where we aspire to be.
“You need those lessons sometimes to have the ability to kick on and push forward. We had a great start to the season.
“But where they are is where want to be as a squad and the wider club.”
Ampthill succeeded Cov as National League One champions by progressing out of the third tier last term. They kicked off with a heavy 47-17 loss to Coventry in the Championship Cup back in September.
But subsequent victories over Bedford Blues (cup), Hartpury and Yorkshire Carnegie suggest the Bedfordshire side have ambitions to do more than just make up the numbers.
Fenner added: “They’ve improved massively since that first Championship Cup game. I’m expecting a big and really tough game.
“There is a big rivalry between us and Ampthill from our National League One days. I think it is going to be a cracker of a contest.”