The Coventry Jets' two game winning streak came to an abrupt end today as they were thumped 30-0 by the London Cobras. Even the most ardent of Jets fans would struggle to find any positives in a performance that saw Coventry shut out for the first time in over a year. Head Coach Gerry McManus and his side were well beaten on a sunny afternoon in the capital as Marvin Allen led his team to three touchdowns.
Coventry were caught napping as NFL Europe veteran Allen completed a 58 yard pass before a long run on an option play and a 1 yard touchdown dive. The Jets were unable to respond with their vaunted receiving core desperately lacking in numbers. In all Lorne Sam could only lead his offence to a paltry 31 yards in the entire first half.
A miserable first quarter could've been much worse were it not for Jeremy Simms' interception deep in Coventry's redzone. Whilst the offence were abysmal Vince Brown lead Coventry's defence as they mounted two key goal line stands to limit the damage. Mark McGowan booted a 36 yard field goal as time expired in the half to give the hosts a deserved 10-0 lead.
The second half would get no better for Coventry, a three and out was followed by a fumbled snap on a punt placing the Jets defence in another hole. Ike Okonkwo crashed in for the first of his two touchdowns from four yards out to convert the field position into a quick score and a lead of 17 points.
Penalties put paid to London's ensuing possession but they were soon in the endzone again, Okonkwo diving in from a yard after another muffed snap on a punt landed the Cobras on Coventry's goal line. As the fourth quarter began the Jets were staring into a 24-0 hole, aware that if points difference in head to head games became an issue that they would need to concede less than the 34 points that they racked up just three weeks earlier.
It would be yet another goal line stand that helped keep the damage to a minimum, Kofi Campbell's fourth sack of the day gave the Jets possession albeit deep in their own half. Sam was finally able to find his receivers and completions to Simms and Mark Cohen had the Jets moving into the Cobras half. The drive was brought to a juddering halt though after a jarring sack that popped the ball loose. Michael Holland picked up the ball and made for the endzone for a 53 yard touchdown.
Andy McKenzie, who played offence, defence and special teams all day, broke through to block Boyle's extra point to keep the score down. The loss is the Jets' fifth on the season and means they won't have a winning record for the first time since 2004. McManus will need to work quickly to turn the Jets around as they now need victories in their final three games to ensure qualification for the playoffs.
First up for the jets at the Butts Park Arena on the 7th of August are the Sussex Thunder. The 19:00 kick off will be played under lights and will be preceded by the Jets Youth team facing the Nottingham Caesars. The action gets underway at 15:00 and entry prices are £5 for adults, £2 for Under 16s with a family ticket that covers 2 adults and 4 children for just £10. For further information on the Coventry Jets visit their website www.coventryjets.co.uk or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.