Wasps hit for six in Cov’s second-half try spree

COVENTRY exploded into life in the second half with six tries against a flailing Wasps defence to claim a big pre-season scalp.

Scores came from Hooker Scott Tolmie, with two-a-piece by Heath Stevens and Pete White with debutant James Voss crashing over to complete the rout.

On a slippery surface Wasps opened the scoring after 60 seconds, Will Simmonds racing over after a quick Joe Simpson break.

The Blue and White’s responded well as flyhalf Will Maisey slotted a kick to the corner for Junior Bulumakau to chase but Owain James collected well and the pressure seized as Wasps cleared their lines.

Good work from fullback James Stokes set up the ball well and from the following phase play earnt Coventry a penalty which Maisey converted.

Coventry were catching Wasps off guard as the offside count started to hamper the visitors, Maisey scoring again to make it 7-6.

Ex-London Scottish centre Ross Neal extended the visitors lead on the 20th minute, finishing in the corner after a Simpson spin pass.

The home-side managed to get their reward for dominating the scrum minutes later, replacement Jack Ram smashed over on the 28th minute after good work from Latu Makaafi.

The hosts continued to dominate at the set piece as the game approached half-time but were caught out on the break by a pacey Wasps backline and with the opportunity arising Sunni Jardine went for a long-range effort at the sticks but missed narrowly.

Despite both sides battling hard, when the whistle blew they went down the tunnel with just a point separating them.

Wasps were on the front foot after the break, but Coventry struck first blood in the second half with replacement Tolmie crashing over from closerange after a powerful driving maul.

And the mauling continued with the hosts adding a quick-fire double, the first came from skipper Stevens making a dart across the line to score before second-row Voss crashed over on the 58th minute to stretch the lead further.

As Wasps fell apart on the field winger David Halaifonua took charge with a chartering run and White was on hand to score, but the replacement scrum-half quickly added his second of the match with another overpowering driving maul from the forward pack which allowed his second.