Coventry maintain unbeaten start
LEAGUE leaders Coventry extended their unbeaten start to the season with a club record 19th successive victory, but they were given an almighty scare by battling Old Elthamians at College Meadow.
In injury time of this enthralling, closely-fought encounter, the home side bombarded the Coventry line but could find no way through a magnificent defence – a feature of the Cov performance.
The Old Boys were unrecognisable from the side who had surrendered so meekly to Ampthill the previous week, their tackling and tireless work at the breakdown knocking the slick Coventry back-line out of their stride.
OEs took a 16th-minute lead with a Joe Carlisle penalty but were then forced to weather heavy pressure as Coventry stepped up a gear, using their forwards to monopolise possession and camp in Elthamians territory.
They struck twice in the space of three minutes to open up a 14-3 lead mid-way through the half - first through captain Luke Narraway, who dived over from close range after a driven five-metre scrum, and then scrum half Tom Kessell finished off some wonderful interplay up the right touchline to score.
To their credit, Elthamians regrouped and clawed their way back into the game with their first attacking opportunity of note when centres Max Wilkins and Kieran Moffat combined well in midfield
to set up an attacking position from which flanker George Messum charged over. Carlisle’s conversion reduced the deficit to four points at the interval.
OEs started the second half strongly, pinning Coventry back and taking a one-point lead thanks to two Carlisle penalties.
But the visitors hit back immediately, a strong run by full back James Stokes taking play into the home 22, where OEs were penalised for not rolling away and Will Maisey slotted the three-pointer.
Maisey added his second penalty after OEs were adjudged to have collapsed a scrum midway in their half and although the home side launched a late onslaught, the leaders held firm to secure their 11th straight win this season.