Hoppers lose at the death

Hoppers lost their fifth game in a row to a spirited Nuneaton side that have gone a long way to ease their relegation worries. Hoppers had so much possession and territory that this should have been a comfortable victory but an inability to convert early chances allowed the visitors to grow in confidence and get themselves into the game.

Head Coach Dave Baldwin was disappointed and frustrated with the performance that had far too many simple errors and wasted opportunities. Nuneaton were able to win the battle around the breakdown and were able to make the most of their few opportunities.

Hoppers started the game well and over powered the visitors in a series of scrums close to the line and when the ball was finally released to the backs Tom Hughes was on hand to beat his man and score beneath the posts, Russell Flynn added the extras to give Hoppers a seven point lead.

The home crowd were expecting a comfortable win as Hoppers continued to dominate and nearly scored when Mark Edwards cross field kick fell just out of reach of Phil Baines and again looked to be over after Mark Murray broke clear before been tackled just short of the line, with Nuneaton full back Stefan Cooksammy shown a yellow card in the process.
Hoppers couldn’t make the man advantage work and Nuneaton levelled the score when Andrew Murray pounced on a loose ball and sprinted in from his own 22, Lee Chapman added the extras in a flawless kicking game that would prove the difference.

Luke Cunningham put Hoppers back in front after charging down a kick in goal and being the first to react to the bouncing ball but just before the half Hoppers went behind as Matt Charters was yellow carded for interfering in a maul and Nuneaton went for the line out and the catch and drive with Nick Smith touching down for a 14-12 lead.

Nuneaton took full advantage of the man advantage as they scored just after the restart, 14 points with Hoppers down to 14 men, former Hopper Andrew Dockray was on hand as the forwards took a quick tap penalty near the line to power over.

Hoppers again had plenty of ball in the second half but Nuneaton scrapped for everything and were contesting every breakdown making it difficult for Hoppers to get quick ball but the home side seemed to lack any idea or flair and got drawn into a power game.

One of the few real highlights and demonstrations of what can be done was Hughes’ second try as he picked up the ball inside his own half and broke the line with pace and a great step and then rounded the full back to score a wonderful try and give Hoppers some hope.

Things looked like turning in the final minutes when Flynn knocked over a penalty to push Hoppers ahead but ill discipline moments later allowed Chapman to boot Nuneaton into the lead. Flynn had an opportunity with a minute to go to snatch victory but his kick went wide.

Yet again this was a game Hoppers should have won and they showed glimpses of what they can do but these were few and far between, far too many opportunities were wasted by poor decision making and simple errors. Hoppers will need to improve if they are to finish the season in a positive fashion.