This was a game that promised to be a challenging contest with Old Coventrians second in the league table and KC two points behind in third spot.
It looked as if it would be a hard day for KC as they were pegged back in their own half for the first 15 minutes, much of the time defending in their 22. The whole team must be complimented for their solid defence which repelled OC attacks constantly and without giving away penalties.
KC ‘s first time out of their half came when Tom Dalton made a break and set Ryan Tiene off to score a try behind the posts, Dalton making the conversion. A few minutes later Ryan Tiene gathered the ball on the OC 10 metre line and cut through for his second try, Dalton again converting. Dalton was there again as he plucked a wayward pass one-handed and scored a solo try with astute changes of pace to beat the defence over 50 metres. Dalton converted his try.
OC tried to come back but the KC defence was up for it, in particular good tackling from Nathan Ward, Matt Jones and Ted Morgan. KC had earned a deserved half-time lead of 21-0
Ryan Tiene picked up on the OC 22 and out-flanked the defence for another try. The next try came from a set scrum on the halfway line as Tiene ran a line inside the centres to confuse the defence who appeared reluctant to tackle him.
KC forwards were really getting stuck in and playing at their most powerful this season, pushing the OC pack backwards in both the set and loose situations. KC strength in depth was shown when replacements Morgan Maxwell, Simon Clarke and Jack O’Hagan came on. Tom Kerrigan continued his recent form to secure KC ball at the line-out
It was good to see Ryan Tiene’s sharpness and confidence throughout the game and he was rewarded with his sixth try taking advantage of a Tom Dalton break, Dalton again making the conversion.
In the closing stages KC had a scrum 15 metres out from the OC line and with a controlled drive pushed the OC pack backwards, and gain a push-over try. This was scored by Matt Jones who picked up to score KC’s eighth try. Tom Dalton kicked his seventh conversion -he was very close with his only miss of the afternoon. He was deservedly made man of the match for the contribution from his all-round game.
KC are now second in the league, one point behind the leading club. Whilst the 54 - 0 score is the headline the most pleasing part of the game has to be the nil points for the opposition. This illustrates how the teamwork produced a cohesive defence throughout the game. Well done KC.

Bob Davies