For the second time in six days the Coventry Jets fell just short of finding their first victory of the season, losing by two points, this time at home to the London Blitz.
The 24-22 loss got off to the worst possible start as not only did Clive Palumbo find gaps in the Jets' special teams to return the opening kick off 76 yards to Coventry's nine yard line but worse still, Chris Shorey suffered a severe break to his right arm probably ending his season. It was a bitter blow for the rookie who, after two games, was the Jets' leading special teams tackler.
Vince Brown lead the Jets' defence on an impressive redzone stand allowing the Blitz only one yard on three downs and holding them to Ed Morgan's 24 yard field goal and a 3-0 lead. Coventry were held scoreless through the first quarter as defences dominated. Alan Steel attempted a 24 yard kick of his own midway through the second but Lennox Johnson had other ideas and slashed through the Jets' line to get a good block on the kick.
Coventry did get a first half score eventually as Lorne Sam connected with Courtney Pope for the third time in as many games. The 43 yard reception handed the Jets a 6-3 lead as this time Paul Summers broke through to block Steel's extra point kick. Jon Chilton restored the reigning champions lead shortly before the half his one yard touchdown run capping a seven play drive. Morgan's kick missed wide left to leave the halftime score at 9-6 to the visitors.
Head Coach Gerry McManus, coaching his last game before Stuart Franklin takes the reigns this week, made some adjustments at the break and his offence benefited, driving down the field in eight plays as to retake the lead on Brown's one yard dive. Kofi Campbell carried the ball in for a two point conversion to stretch the lead to five at 14-9. That would be the only score in the third period but Todd Scott scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth to give the Blitz a cushion.
With Fred Boyle running in a two point conversion and Morgan kicking another, London found themselves with the luxury of a 10 point lead with just five minutes to play. Sam pulled his team back into the game with a 10 play drive including four completions to Dervan Alleyne and a huge fourth down conversion to Jeremy Simms. The drive was rounded off by Pope's second touchdown grab of the game, this one from 16 yards.
Campbell once again took the ball in for the two point conversion setting the Jets up for an onside kick and a final chance to win the game. Steel's kick though was comfortably fielded allowing the Blitz to run out the clock. Franklin, who returns from Spain on Monday will have less than a week to stamp his imprint on the 0-3 Jets as they travel to take on the Blitz in London on Sunday the 20th of June.
For further information on the Coventry Jets visit their website www.coventryjets.co.uk or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.