RUGBY UNION: IT WAS a job well done according to Coventry’s director of rugby Rowland Winter after his side opened 2017 with a 37-14 win on the road at Macclesfield.
The visitors overcame a sloppy start on a heavy pitch at Priory Way to score five tries and consolidate their sixth-place position in National League One.
“To have a two-week break, come away from home to a place like Macclesfield in poor conditions and get the five points is a good result,” said Winter.
“We were rusty and had a slow start, and the Christmas break probably showed, but we turned it round well and found a way.
“We went round them and over them, but most of the time we went through them and showed good patience in our play
“I think we could have put another 20 or 30 points on them, but I’m happy with what we’ve done in these conditions.
“There were a few errors which was a little bit to be expected on the day, and we had a couple of people come into the team who haven’t played with us for a while, but I’m happy with five points and a win away from home which is important and was the target.”
Ryan Parkinson went over for the opening try of the match, which full-back Tom Morton converted before on 13 minutes Tom Howe scored an unconverted try and moments later Jack Willis cross to put the visitors in front, with Tony Fenner adding the extras.
Coventry added ten more points before half-time with Fenner powering through for try number three, which he converted with ease, and Fenner added three more points to put Coventry in control at 22-17 at half-time.
Seven minutes after the break an excellent move ended with Cliffie Hodgson sliding over to secure a bonus point on his 99th appearance for the club and Fenner was once again on target by landing an excellent conversion.
Another Fenner penalty from close range extended his personal points haul to 17 before Coventry scored a fifth try shortly before the hour mark through Willis.
With the conditions getting worse it was Macclesfield who were able to add to their score late on with Liam Parfitt scoring and Morton scoring the conversion with ease but the damage had already been done as Coventry secured five away league points.
Winter added: “There were lots of good parts to our play – the driving maul from the halfway line, a cross field kick for a try which illustrated our ambition to play, and we didn’t wrap it up too much, we kept it moving. It was a good team effort.
“Macclesfield are scrapping for every point they can get and they make it a very difficult place to come to. With that mind set and the conditions, it made it a tough day.
“Now our mind focuses towards Blackheath, we owe them one from our performance down there earlier in the season.”
