The Flick Memorial Trophy, 33 years after his sad passing, remains a passionate affair. The majority of players in the two teams hadn’t even been born at the time of the disaster, however, Clayton is remembered fondly by both teams, with his shirt number retired ever since by Coventrians RFC.

Both teams observed a minute’s silence before the game.

Captain Callum Craig stirred the team in his speech, reminding his players that we never know when “that day” is going to come and encouraged all to leave everything on the pitch.

And so began the game. Old Wheats came out swinging and played at a high tempo from the off putting Coventrians under intense pressure, which was to be the theme of the majority of the game, with the boys in blue soaking up the pressure and laying in some big hits, especially Birungi Nestor out on the wing.

The majority of the 1st half was spent camped in the Coventrians half. The set pieces were mostly level, with neither side getting the better of the other. Good yards were being made from the back of the scrum by number 8, Jack Howl and Coventrians showed how dangerous they could be in attack after a strong run by centre Ben Coton connecting with Paul McIntosh got the ball out wide with numbers lining up, but a knock on just short of the Wheats line cost the Blues dear.

Thus continued the theme of the 1st half, with Covents soaking the Wheats pressure, while looking somewhat dangerous on the turnover. In a blow to the boys in Blue, starting lock Jake Arms went down with a knee injury and was replaced by Andy Robertson. This injury could mean it was his last game for Coventrians before he moves away to Cornwall. A sad end, but we wish him well for his future.

Unfortunately, the aggressive nature of Nestor’s tackling cost him a yellow card with the referee deciding a tip tackle went too far. The half ended with the Wheats giving up trying to go through the Blue wall, deigning to take the points instead and following a couple of minor penalties, Wheats went in ahead, 0-6.

The 2nd half began much as the 1st, with the Wheats pressurising out wide with the off-load game. Sadly for Coventrians a couple of errors were seized on by the Wheats, which put them immediately on the backfoot with Wheats scoring 2 tries quickly in succession.
With the need to score, Covents took the game to Wheats, trying to put more speed on the ball and keeping the ball in play longer. The scrum was gaining ascension with the Wheats using a weaker bench than their starters. A small period of Covents pressure seemed promising, but a mix up out wide gave the Wheats wing a clear run through to the try line untouched. Wheats clear, 0-25.

The resulting kick off saw Coventrians penalised after a textbook tackle from number 7, McIntosh, was deemed by the referee to have taken the man in the air. The sideline disagreed, but Coventrians were again reduced to 14.

More pressure from Coventrians saw a number of penalties conceded by Wheats in their 22 and when the ball was held up over the line and a Wheats player running offside from the resultant goal line drop-out saw the referee even the sides out. The up-tempo approach by Coventrians continued to provide good front foot ball and a try came eventually by Callum Craig punching his way over from short. Conversion by Karl Cook was charged down, after taking 3 weeks for his run up. 5-25.

Reubens-Hunt continued his fine run of form, scoring again from his unfamiliar position at 13, speeding around his opposite number to touch down. Conversion successful, 12-25.

By this point Coventrians believed an upset could be in the making but time was hard against them, and with the last play of the match a 22m drop-out, the ball dropped to the Wheats lock on the wing, who brushed off a tackle to score in the corner, adding to a score line that in reality, flattered the visitors.

Congratulations then, to Old Wheatlyans, who took their chances when offered.
Final score, 12-30

Covents lost to a well drilled and organised Wheats team. Heart and effort were in abundance and while it was clear the Blues are a more physical side than their counterparts, a lack of team cohesion showed.

Big games from Jack Howl, making hard yards and proving very difficult to stop. Nestor on the wing keeping the tradition of hard-hitting wingers alive at Covents. Finally, Callum Craig and Roberts-Hunt for getting over the line.

Coventrians go again next week, away at Old Yardlians. FTW.