Coventry Jets Senior Flag Team report
An under strength Coventry Cassidy Jets Senior Flag Team travelled to Kent, without Head Coach Andrew Gambrill and star playmaker Shadrach McCook, to face league new boys the London Rebels and the hosting Kent Exiles. A squad of just 8 players made the trip and came away battered and bruised with their first loss of the fledgling season.
The first game saw the Jets take on the Rebels and waste no time marching down field to score on their first possession. The lead was short lived as London returned the favour immediately to even the score. With the match increasingly turning into a full contact physical affair, the Jets failed to score again for the remainder of the game as they were victim of some questionable refereeing and good Rebels blitzing, twice sacking quarterback Marcus Gambrill.
A lengthening injury list put the Jets defence to the sword as they were reduced to a second string line up. Steve Timmins was ruled out the game with a knee injury and Luke Gambrill was also in the wars after yet more aggressive play from the Rebels. Refereeing calls, or lack thereof, did not go in the Jets’ favour all game and it definitely took its toll. Rebels’ quarterback Brad Madison was in a groove all day and took full advantage of the Jets’ injury woes leading his team to a 26-6 victory.
Coventry responded well to their first defeat of the season as they clobbered the Exiles 41-18. After building a strong lead, the Jets allowed Kent back into the game before two late defensive touchdowns from rejuvenated pair Steve Timmins and Luke Gambrill finished the contest. With London winning both of their games on the day, they’ve dragged themselves back into the playoff race. The Jets are still well in the hunt for the title and still control their own destiny in spite of the defeat.
After three straight road trips the Jets have their first home games of the season next Sunday as they host local rivals the Leicester Eagles and another newcomer, the Hampshire Thrashers. Coventry will hope that the match doesn’t come to soon as they already know that they’ll be deprived of the services of the influential Timmins. The venue for the matches has yet to be confirmed but Pinley RFC looks to be the most likely host.