David Saul’s return will boost a Jets team that’s coming off it’s worst defeat in over a year. Whilst Saul was away at the European Championships with Great Britain his Jets’ team mates took a 30-0 pummelling on their first ever trip to Boston Manor Gardens, home of the London Cobras. Whilst GB also suffered some heavy defeats in Frankfurt, Saul scored their only touchdown of the tournament as the national side finished sixth meaning relegation into Europe’s second tier.
Saul will be joined by Gary Clark who has been unavailable for personal reasons that also ruled him out of the Lions squad that made the trip to Germany. As well as the return of the GB stars, Head Coach Gerry McManus will be delighted to welcome back 6’7” defensive tackle Jon Dwyer who’s spent the past month on the sideline due to surgery. The game comes to soon for quarterback Ed Tate though, his return is greatly anticipated “Ed’s an incredible athlete” commended McManus “He’s already come on in leaps and bounds from last season and once we can get him working with Lorne Sam he can only improve further.”
“Ed represents the future of this organisation and to have him back working with youngsters like Chris Shorey, Benjamin Barker and Dervan Alleyne will set us up nicely for the next decade and beyond.” Alleyne will be making a long overdue return from a persistent neck injury that has sidelined him since early June. The young Leicester native had shown flashes of brilliance and was a leading light amongst the Jets’ receivers until that point. Courtney Pope, who has scored in every game he’s played so far in 2010 should also return as Coventry have a full compliment of receivers for the first time this year.
David Cowen is set to return at linebacker after missing the Cobras defeat with a groin strain. Cowen’s coverage skills will add some play making ability to the Jets defense, an original Jaguar, Cowen currently ranks second to only Adam Biggs in career interceptions for the Jets. Another player from that 2004 inaugural season is Paul Newey, the ageless linebacker will suit up for only the second time this year. Coventry’s all time leading tackler will also see some game time this Saturday under floodlights at the Butts Park Arena.
The visitors for Coventry’s first ever Saturday night game will be the winless 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.