Vilikesa Nairau leads the charge in Coventry’s power pack

By Tom Riley

Coventry ………. 45pts

Tries: Anstey 17, Ball 21, Nairau 28, Kvesic 34, Ma’asi 37, Opoku 76, Lane 80

Conversions: Mannion 17, 21, 28; Robson 76, 80

Chinnor………….. 17pts

Tries: Cave 51, Rokodrava 53, Rafferty 59

Conversions: Smith 53

Prop Vilikesa Nairau was the star for Coventry as Alex Rae’s side produced a dominant five-try first half with the pack leading the Midlanders to a comfortable victory over Championship newboys Chinnor.

First Half

Coventry badly disrupted the visitors’ lineout and with their own set-piece operating smoothly they dominated the opening period.

A raft of changes from both clubs saw a more balanced second period in which Chinnor scored three tries before the hosts responded with two late long-distance scores.

Following a cagey opening 15 minutes played largely between 22-metre lines, Coventry second row Rhys Anstey touch down from a lineout.

The hosts soon doubled their advantage when Tom Ball popped up in support of a powerful Nairau carry to dive over.

Coventry scored their third through the impressive Nairau who snapped up a loose ball at the tail of Chinnor’s lineout and powered across the line.

Josh Barton’s quick tap set up Coventry for their fourth, finished by the supporting Matt Kvesic.

And they went into the break with a 31-point lead after hooker Suva Ma’asi made it five for the forwards by applying the finishing touch to a lineout drive.

Second Half

By the 58th minute only Mannion remained of Cov’s starting line-up as Rae rang the changes and with the visitors also making several changes the match took on a new context.

Former Moseley hooker Will Cave was among the new arrivals, and he opened Chinnor’s account by applying the finishing touch to a well-worked lineout drive.

The visitors almost immediately added a second score following a neat midfield switch and powerful burst from centre Epi Rokodrava.

After Nick Smith added the conversion, a good kick chase won Cov a five-metre attacking scrum from which an opportunity was lost when the ball went forward at the base.

Fin Ogden then picked off an interception inside his own 22 and raced 70 metres only to be caught by a superb piece of defensive corner-flagging.

Chinnor closed the gap to 14 points with five minutes remaining when Cov turned possession over running from their own 22 and replacement second row Cam Rafferty gathered the loose ball and charged to the corner.

However, pacy David Opoku was released by Robson after a neat Aaron Hinckley offload and Will Lane rounded off Cov’s pre-season by getting on Chester Owen’s shoulder to score their seventh try.