Try as we might…

The tone for Sunday night’s Varsity finale was set within the first two minutes of the game; a big hit from Warwick full-back Tom Solis resulted in a scuffle which included almost every player on the pitch (much to the delight of the crowd). It was clear that this would be a game defined by phys- icality as opposed to the running game many had hoped for given Saturday’s weather.

The first fifteen minutes were scrappy, with a number of handling errors on both sides, which disrupted the continuity of the match. Warwick began to assert themselves about twenty minutes into the contest with some good phase play orchestrated by fly-half Luke Macklin, supported by strong carries from the likes of flanker Nick Graham and centre Francisco ‘Chico’ Lobo. Josh Downie eventually broke throw a Coventry tackle and did well to beat the final defender, scoring the game’s first try.

With Warwick taking the upper hand on the pitch, the crowd followed suit with a rousing rendition of ‘1+1, 2+2, these are sums that you can’t do, with a knick-knack paddy-wack give a Cov a bone, go back to your council home.’ Whilst the Coventry fans had brought along a saxophone player to lead their chants, which I personally thought was a good touch, their crowd failed to support him adequately.

However, with ten minutes left in the first half, Warwick’s resolve was tested by the sin-binning of scrum-half Conor Michaels for a rucking infringement. This would not usually be punishable by a yellow card, so we can only assume the referee must have previously warned the team about repeated offences. Despite some valiant efforts in the tackle, Coventry were able to take advantage of the extra man and crossed the gain line repeatedly, resulting in a try to leave the scores level at 7-7 at half-time.

The second half began much like the first, with neither side really looking convincing, until Michaels returned from the sin-bin and restored the Warwick side to full strength. Luke Macklin soon capitalised with a great break on the ten-metre line and found the pace to beat the Coventry full-back and score in the corner, duly converting his own effort.

However, Coventry’s narrow, physical style of attack paid dividends, and a few robust carries (coupled with what appeared to be some rather partial decisions from the referee) from their second row saw them march back into the Warwick twenty-two.

Amusingly, allegations began to circulate like wildfire round the stands that the referee was in fact President of the Coventry Alumni Society. Wherever this scandalous rumour has any truth to it remains unknown, but Coventry were duly rewarded with a score in the corner after a number of failed attempts from Warwick to clear the ball, which the smooth Coventry line- out capitalised on.

An almost impossible conversion from the Coventry inside centre, who looked like he would have been more at home on a Channel 5 Embarrassing Bodies documentary than a rugby pitch, made the score 15-14 (thanks to a previous penalty kicked by Macklin) with less than twenty minutes to go.

With the game so finely balanced the next score was crucial. Conor Michaels obliged the Warwick fans with a sniping effort from the base of a ruck and ran in for the try, in- creasing our lead to 20-14. Once again, the Coventry attack made inroads into the desperate Warwick defence. Despite the desperation in the tackle from everybody on the pitch, Coventry managed to batter their way over the try line and convert to make the score 21-20.

I think it’s safe to say that there was a collective disbelief amongst the Warwick fans at the final whistle, but the defeat must have been heartbreaking for outgoing captain Elliot Hodges and the rest of those in the team who will leave this summer. Revenge will surely be a great motivator for next year’s Varsity fixture.