Sat 25 Oct 2025
Following two excellent victories in their last two matches, OCs were looking to make it a hat-trick as they welcomed high-flying Bedford Athletic to Tile Hill Lane. A spirited – if somewhat disjointed - performance by the OCs left them agonisingly close as the whistle went to end a tremendous game of rugby. It could have been so different for OCs but for a couple of dropped catches with the line beckoning and a couple of loose kicks which Bedford capitalised on. But the performance should give confidence to the OCs players that they can compete with even the best sides in this League.
The game started well for the OCs, who opened the scoring when Ollie Hurst broke through three tackles in midfield to score under the posts - Chatty slotting over the extra two points for a rare conversion on this windy day. In what was a very open game throughout, Bedford levelled the scoring after 15 minutes. A loose kick out of defence was easily gathered by the Bedford backs who drove towards the OCs line and, following a tidy series of phases, their No.6 picked the ball up out of the ruck for an easy run in under the posts. OCs, as they often do, came straight back at Bedford. Securing their own kick off they powered towards the visitors’ line, only to be denied a try in the corner by an offside decision by the referee.
It was the away side who struck next. Conceding a penalty on the halfway line, Bedford kicked the ball to 5m out from the OCs line. A clean take at the line out and a powerful drive saw the Bedford forwards dot the ball down over the line for their second try and a 5 point lead. The pacy and well-drilled Bedford side began to take control of the game and dominated possession. With usual grit OCs defence was hard to breach but the pressure finally told as Bedford engineered a slick move to score in the corner to extend their lead. A few minutes later, OCs were able to narrow that lead with a penalty which Chatty popped over from the 10m line. With halftime approaching Bedford once again had the better of the play and showing slick hands, gave their winger just enough space to go over in the corner, giving the visitors a 12 point lead going into the break.
Half-time score: Old Coventrians 10 v 22 Bedford Athletic
OCs made a few changes at halftime, giving a debut to newly signed prop forward Zach Loffman. Shortly after the re-start a scrum on the halfway line allowed OCs to ship the ball down the back line. The ball reached the dangerous Ollie Hurst who looked to have fumbled the ball as he tried to lay it back inside. However, he somehow managed to re-gather the ball and handed off two defenders before clinching his second try of the game. Windy conditions throughout made it difficult for the kickers and Chatty’s attempted conversion fell just short of the crossbar. OCs great start to the second half continued with Chatty bouncing off Bedford players all over the park to drive the ball downfield towards the Bedford line. From the ensuing breakdown, OCs backs moved the ball neatly out wide to Georgie Smtih who had the pace and power to outstrip the Bedford defence and score in the corner. Bedford took advantage of the growing penalty count from the OCs when, following another loose kick out of defence not finding touch, the ball was gathered by the Bedford backs who scythed through the OCs midfield defence laying the ball off to the Bedford openside to score under the posts. OCs had chances to come back again but a promising long pass out wide could not be gathered with the Bedford defence nowhere to be seen. Almost immediately, Bedford showed their class, engineering a break down the lefthand side, where the impressive Bedford No. 7 was again in support to cross the line untouched. This took the visitors 16 points clear and it looked very much as if they might run away with the match.
Those who watch the OCs regularly will know that this side just never know when to give up! Substitute flanker James Callaway found a gap in the Bedford midfield defence and charged 60 metres towards the goal line. As he dragged two defenders over the whitewash with him, he just managed to force the ball down for a try. Unfortunately for the OCs, the referee seemed to be unsighted and gave the benefit of the doubt to the defending team and disallowed the try. Not to be denied and with the bit between their teeth, OCs were once more able to put Bedford under enough pressure for them to ship the ball out wide to George Curtis who powered over the line from close in. As the final whistle approached, OCs had the last say in this excellent match when they were able to open up the Bedford defence once more for Ollie Hurst to run the ball in for his well-deserved hat-trick and secure OCs second bonus point of the game.
Bedford, having the experience of many years playing at this level, showed all the attributes of a Team who will definitely be pushing for promotion come the end of the season. OCs are still on the learning curve at Level 6 rugby but are showing enough grit and determination to remain in mid-table in this very competitive league. But for some rash decision-making at key points in this match, OCs could quite easily have pulled off a tremendous victory. Cutting out those loose kicks and improving on their structure a bit and this side could have a really good season. Luke Ireland once again tackled his socks off. Ollie Cunningham, returning from injury, was a threat whenever he had the ball in hand and Georgie Smith continues to impress with his speed and strength. Man of the Match though was Ollie Hurst, who’s impenetrable defence and opportunism in attack took OCs to within a smidge of victory. Next stop, Daventry in two weeks’ time!
Full-time score: Old Coventrians 30 v 36 Bedford Athletic
