RUGBY UNION: A GAME of few clear-cut opportunities came down to taking chances when they arrived – and director of rugby Rowland Winter conceded that Ampthill did the better job as Coventry slipped to a 22-8 away defeat in National League One.
Coventry were still very much in the contest with the scoreline tied at 8-8 with 15 minutes remaining Eoghan Grace scoring Coventry’s only try of the match.
But the visitors conceded two late converted tries as they slipped to a fifth defeat of the season.
“It was a tough battle which we fought well for the majority of the game,” said Winter.
“It had a real stop-start feel to it with no real broken play or any prolonged period of multiple phases in the wet conditions which meant it was a game of few chances.
“In short, we didn’t take ours but they took theirs.
“We handled everything Ampthill chucked at us, we’ve adapted to losing players to injuries, and we have then worked hard to get good field position and opportunities to add to our lead.
“But we missed those opportunities, and that’s something we need to improve on in close games like this.”
Debutant Olly Povoas was checked out in hospital after being stretchered off with a neck injury midway through the first half and later released, while fellow flanker Grace was set to have a precautionary x-ray on a wrist injury and full-back James Stokes went off with an ankle injury.
Winter added: “All the injured players will be assessed and we’ll know whether they will be available for next weekend as the week progresses.”
This Saturday Coventry are at home to Cambridge.
