The Battle of the Welsh

Coventry Welsh Rugby Club were forced into a raft of changes due to injuries but still managed to overcome a resilient Rugby Welsh side. The Rugby side took the lead with a converted try. Coventry Welsh levelled when, from a sustained driving maul, evergreen Mark Kitchener used all his experience to take control of the situation and dive over from short range for a fine try converted by Luke Horan. Both sides defended their lines stoutly and it took a well drilled drop goal from Luke Horan to break the deadlock and put the Coventry side into a 10-7 lead. With the game in the balance Coventry Welsh opted for touch from a penalty  and from the lineout a jinking run through the oncoming defence by Luke Horan saw his pass gathered by Dave Ellis to score the winning try.

Keresley took the bragging rights in this tight fought local derby. Two early penalties gave the hosts a 6-0 lead but the Coventry Welsh rugby club struck back with a penalty to Luke Horan. The Welsh put Keresley under pressure only to be repelled by some fine defence before Luke Horan chipped over the on coming defenders and gathered to score in the corner. More Welsh pressure saw captain Ryan Hughes crash over to score at the end of a flowing backs move.

With the score 13-6 at half time Keresley responded with a well taken penalty early in the second half. With both teams trying to play expansive rugby it was only bad decisions and good defence from both sides that kept the score down. Quick ball from a ruck saw the Welsh backs on the attack and when centre Brett Horan gathered the ball 15m out there was only one result as he powered over in the corner. Luke Horan converted from the touchline to give the Welsh an impressive 20-9 lead. The Welsh failed to capitalise and Keresley regained their composure to mount a sustained period of pressure on the visitors which resulted in 2 converted tries in the last 10 minutes to win the game.

Coventry Welsh rugby club went out of the competition to a well drilled and experienced Uttoxeter side who proved worthy opponents in a tense match. A bog like conditions did not help either side to produce any flowing rugby but Uttoxeter adapted better on their home pitch as they put pressure on the Welsh line. The Welsh stood firm with some fine defensive play and then silenced the watching home crowd as Luke Horan slotted over two fine penalties. With the Welsh down to 14 men with a sin binning Uttoxeter punished them with by adding 3 penalties of their own to take  a 9-6 half time lead.

Uttoxeter took a further lead from the re-start when their forwards drove over for an un converted try. Coventry Welsh refused to buckle and it was Uttoxeter`s turn to show they too could defend stoutly. Pressure told in the end and Luke Horan once again used his boot to convert two more penalties to bring the score to 14-12 and it was anyones game. It was Uttoxeter`s day  however as they held their nerve to score a further penalty and the game.

Coventry Welsh RFC progressed to the next round of the Junior Vase competition with a win at Wellingborough Old Grammarians. Playing their first game since mid December the much postponed fixture was finally played out on a pitch that deteriorated as the game went on. Coventry Welsh started the better and put the OGs under pressure which resulted in their forwards infringing to stop any quick ball on several occassions leading to 3 penalties to Luke Horan. The long lay off told with some passes going astray and the wrong options taken but the Welsh finally breached the home defence when Matt Carrier charged through and Lee Ashford finished off the move with a fine try converted by Luke Horan. Credit to the OGs who kept in the game with some fine defence. Coventry Welsh players and officials enjoyed the pre & post match hospitality shown by their hosts on a very enjoyable trip.