By Sian Haynes 
Coventry face Nottingham for a second time in six days on Friday (pic: John Coles) Words: John Butler
Coventry and Nottingham meet for the second time in six days on Friday evening (7.45pm ko) at what is a new venue as far as Cov Rugby are concerned.
The fourth round of the new Greene King IPA Championship Cup takes place at the Bay, which has been the home of Nottingham Rugby for several seasons.
When a Coventry squad last travelled to Nottingham in season 2009/10, it was to Notts County’s football stadium in Meadow Lane, since when our hosts have relocated to their 3,000-capacity training base, situated still close to the city centre in Holme Road.
Cov travel on the back of another try-scoring bonanza at the Butts Park, which of course was against the same opposition. With 12 tries scored overall, it took the aggregate touchdown total in the last two home games against Nottingham and Yorkshire Carnegie to 23.
Attractive rugby to thrill the support base, but defence perhaps of greater concern from a coaching viewpoint, as the club focuses on performance levels prior to league action resuming again in mid-December.
Consecutive home successes have taken Cov to the top of pool one, with plenty still on offer to play for. An elusive first away win of the 2018/19 campaign would certainly be a welcome bonus, as Cov look to remove that particular ‘’monkey’’ from their backs.
Nottingham though will be thirsting for revenge, before the two sides meet again in the next round of league matches. Their cup run has, thus far, brought three defeats and two bonus points, the second of those reverses, at home against Doncaster Knights, being the first at Lady Bay since September.
Of the squad Cov met last Saturday at the BPA, Nottingham fielded eight players in their starting line-up who featured in the round seven league win against Hartpury, while 12 of the squad featured in their last league game, which produced a good win over Ealing Trailfinders three weeks ago.
The Supporters’ Club are again laying on a coach to the game, departing the BPA at 5.15pm. Bookings can be made up to 1.00pm on Thursday via email CRSC1874@gmail.com
Advance match tickets are now available to purchase from the club office for our last home game in 2019 against Doncaster Knights on Saturday December 8.
The Rooters will be the post-match entertainment in the Jon Sharp bar while the club shop will also be open for Christmas shoppers.
