COVENTRY coach James Pritchard feels his side can walk away from the RFU 24/Sevens competition with their heads held high after losing out to Red Rockets at the semi-final stage.
Despite out-scoring their opponents by four tries to three, Coventry were unable to add any extra points through conversions due to the windy conditions at the Allianz Park on Sunday as they were beaten 21-20.
Coventry, who had qualified by reaching the final of the Olney 7s, began with pool wins over The Moose (19-0) and Bromley Bandits (43-0) before going down narrowly to Seventy 7s (19-14) to qualify for the last four.
“It was a very good exercise, the boys played really well,” said coach Pritchard. “They came up against an experienced Sevens sides in the semi-final and at times made them look amateurish.
“Credit to the boys, it was done on very limited coaching for Sevens and on individual skill, and they played as a team.
“It’s definitely been worthwhile, just for me to get a look at the players and for them to play with each other and learn their traits and strengths.
“Much as it hurts to lose, our pre-season schedule is tough and another Sevens had we gone through would have been a big ask.”