Winter’s Cov are far too strong for his former team

WITH both sides going for hat-tricks of sorts this had all the hallmarks of a thrilling encounter and didn’t disappoint.

Coventry, hitherto responsible for 50 per cent of the four shut-outs recorded from the Premiership down to National Two North and South this term, both in their last two outings, failed in that respect. They did, though, set a new club record of 18 straight wins.

Cambridge, by contrast, were going for three wins in a row, against stiff opposition to boot, and didn’t get over the line either, with James Ayrton’s late finish a mere consolation.

As at Ampthill last week, the Blood & Sand defended resolutely from the off, holding out for the first ten minutes until hooker Sam Tolmie strolled over round the front of the lineout, casting the die for the afternoon.

Cambridge under Rowland Winter were promoted thanks to attacking the game from the first minute and going for the try bonus before half-time. Now at Coventry, Winter’s philosophy has not changed. A penalty try brought up the second, Anthony Matoto added the third, and James Stokes added the bonuspoint score against his old club. Will Maisey was three out of three off the tee.

The second period saw the introduction by Ross Stewart of Darren Fox, who added steel and goforward to the hosts – too much, as it turned out, with Fox and Sam

Tuitupou’s heavyweight contest distasteful to referee Thomas Davis, who redcarded the latter and binned Fox for ten.

Coventry added a fifth through Max Trimble and a sixth via Phil Nilsen – Maisey converting Nilsen’s try – and the visitors were home and hosed. Apart, that is, from Ayrton’s late five-pointer from deep.

Winter was full of praise for his side, but more so for the travelling support, whom he felt made a big difference on the day.

“It’s a difficult place to come but when you bring as many fans as we brought, it felt like a home crowd,” he said.

“That Coventry roar, home and away, has almost been the 16th man this season.”