Warwick University Rugby League do the double against arch-rivals Coventry
Updated: Mar 14, 2019
Warwick University Rugby League have beaten their nemesis, Coventry, for the first time since 2013 – not once, but twice.
First came Warwick’s first Varsity win since that same year by the incredible and convincing margin of 77-10. Even the most optimistic of Warwick supporters could not have imagined such a result, as Warwick ran in 11 tries to one with Josh Chan, amongst a plethora of try scorers,
emerging with a personal tally of four tries.
Coventry were missing key players for that game and it was no secret that the next fixture between the two, a mere seventeen days later in Midlands 1A, would be a far closer affair. As the last game of the season, it also became the battle for third place as the winner would finish the season on the podium. It proved, as predicted, to be a tougher game, as Warwick’s kicking game trying to exploit their numerical advantage didn’t reap the rewards that they were hoping for and went into half-time losing 16-10. Despite this setback, however, Warwick knuckled down and worked hard and eventually ran Coventry ragged with a try by Ethan Cross in the corner opening the floodgates. Further tries by Josh Chan to add to the three scored by Cillian Richards consolidated Warwick’s position and ensured that they’d emerge victorious, by a score of 48 to 30.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to finally beat Coventry, we always knew we had it in our locker and to prove that in the two biggest games of the season is an incredible achievement.” Said Captain George Edge after the game. “We’ve achieved our season’s goal of finishing in the top three and to make it even better we’ve finished above our greatest rivals. We said we could compete in this league at the start of the season and we’ve gone and shown that. We can all be very proud of what we’ve accomplished this year.”
As well as celebrating their highest finish in Division 1A for years, Warwick University Rugby League congratulated and thanked two stalwarts of the club, Jordan Keane and Calum Linton, on their final game. As well as irreplaceable in the forwards, they have also served the club as President, Captain and Social Secretary during their time at the club.
“Their attitude and leadership, both on and off the field, has been exemplary.” Said Coach Troy Perkins. “Hopefully the new boys coming through at the club will take a leaf out of their book.”
The last game against Coventry draws to a close the 2018/19 season for Warwick University Rugby League, finishing 3rd in Midlands 1A on 12 points from 10 games.