Gerry McManus will lead his team into Britbowl for the fourth straight year after a convincing 34-8 victory away to the Bristol Aztecs in their semi-final match up. Mark Cohen picked up two touchdowns to reach 100 in his six year Jets career. Coventry's other score were courtesy of Lorne Sam, Kofi Campbell and the obligatory touchdown reception for Courtney Pope.
Coventry's defence set the tone from the off as they never let Bristol find any rhythm. Derek Yenerall had to wait until the fourth quarter to complete a pass as the Jets' pressure forced him to miss on his first 11 attempts. David Saul came up with three picks for the Jets, adding to his league leading tally of six for the regular season. Whilst the hosts struggled to move the ball, Sam lead his team into the endzone at the first attempt.
Cohen's first touchdown was from 11 yards and came on the back of a 50 yard pass from Sam to Jeremy Simms. Alan Steel converted the extra point to give Coventry an early 7-0 lead. Bristol's second possession did see two big carries from Warren Thompson but the hosts couldn't cap off the drive as Gary Clark stuffed the run on a fourth down and three attempt from Coventry's 12 yard line. Sam responded by churning up yards on the ground himself, a 33 yard scamper setting up a 27 yard field goal attempt. However, Steel's kick came up short Cohen struggled to get the ball spotted.
Bristol found themselves in poor field position and they were unable to advance, going three and out again. A poor snap sailed high over Jon Wyse's head on the subsequent punt attempt. The wily veteran scooped up the ball and, rather than risk giving up a touchdown, stepped out of his endzone to award Coventry a safety and a 9-0 first quarter lead. Sam didn't settle for that though and completions to Cohen and Dervan Alleyne teed him up to sneak in from two yards out. A blown snap on the extra point limited the damage to six points as time expired in the first period.
Both teams fought out a stalemate in the second quarter as the Aztecs finally managed to get some pressure on Sam, sacking the NFL veteran twice and forcing two interceptions. Saul responded with two of his own though and Coventry went into the break with a 15-0 advantage. Whilst the Jets' clock management was questionable in the first half, it was beyond reproach in the second. Taking the ball from the kick off, Sam led his offense on a 15 play drive, bleeding 10 minutes off the clock in the process.
An immaculate drive was made all the sweeter as Cohen capped it off with his milestone score, celebrating with his family on the embankment behind the endzone. Steel extra point was wide left but the Jets looked comfortable at 21-0. Bristol's response was brief and uninspired as they booted the ball away, effectively handing Coventry possession for 13 of the third quarters 15 minutes.
As the Aztecs defence began to tire, Sam took advantage, hooking up with Courtney Pope for the 11th time this season. Pope kept alive his streak of scoring in every game but more importantly the Jets were up 28-0 and the result was now in no doubt. Ade Okuneye scored a consolation in the fourth quarter, his three yard reception scant consolation for the team that finished second in the league. Nick Proctor ran in the two point conversion before Bristol unsuccessfully attempted an onside kick.
McManus' side ground out some tough yards behind Tony Perkins, eventually setting up Kofi Campbell to crash in from two yards out as the Jets capped a memorable performance. The result means that the Coventry will once more play the London Blitz for the National Title. The pair have fought out the previous three matches with London proving victorious in 2007 & 2009, the Jets' lone success being sandwiched in-between.
The final will take place at Sixways Stadium, home of the Worcester Warriors, on Saturday the 18th of September. Kick off is scheduled for 19:00. For details about the event please visit BAFA CL's website http://www.bafacl.com/. For more details on the Coventry Jets please visit their website www.covjets.com or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.