Hoppers coach Karl Fitzpatrick described the loss to lowly Nuneaton as “frustrating” after the midlands club came from behind to record just their fifth win of the season. He went on to say the loss was down to; “bad decision making and not being able to make the most of chances, especially when Nuneaton were reduced to 13 men.”
The conditions were always going to play a huge part in the game as strong winds and driving rain made kicking a problem and certainly dictated the team’s style of play.
It was Hoppers who played into the wind in the first half and they handled the conditions well and got off to a great start taking the lead after just five minutes. The forwards kept the ball in the tight, in similar fashion to the style that put Loughborough Students to the sword, and were able to make good ground around the fringes, Tom Hughes was unlucky to be held up just short of the line, but from the resulting 5m scrum Hoppers pack shoved the host back allowing Dominic Moon to touch down at the base, Mark Edwards slotted the simple conversion.
That should have been the sign of things to come but for all Hoppers possession and territory they were never able to take control of the game and ill discipline let Nuneaton back into the game. First a well struck penalty by Jack Jolly reduced the deficit and further Hoppers infringements resulted with the host taking the lead with a well worked try which Elliot Brown scored in the corner, Jolly missed the conversion but slotted a penalty minutes later. Hoppers regained the lead when Sean Taylor rounded off a flowing move which started at the Hoppers 10m line, Edwards converted well from the touchline but Jolly’s third penalty took the sides in level at the break 14-14.
Hoppers second half performance beggar’s belief; they now had the wind at their backs but were unable to take advantage of numerous overlaps and try scoring opportunities were wasted. Even when Nuneaton were reduced to 13 men after Brown and Aaron Turner were yellow carded in quick succession Hoppers were still unable to score. Why Hoppers were not awarded a penalty try after a succession of penalties and two sin binning’s only the referee will know, it was certainly a mystery to the Hoppers supporters that had made the trip and to the home fans alike.
Nuneaton weathered the storm and showed the visitors how to make the most of their opportunities as they broke away well down the right touchline following a turn over and Brown turned provider to offload well just before going into touch and Tim Douglas coasted in to give the host an unlikely but thoroughly deserved victory.
Hoppers face two tricky away games in the coming weeks with trips to Hull Ionians and newcomers Luctonians and must improve considerably if they are to get anything out of those fixtures.
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