AEI’s first league game ended in victory against a disciplined and physical Coventry Tech 2.
Tries by messrs Stretton, Jenkins, Bott and Lawson (2) were almost undone by weak tackling which allowed the Coventry Tech forwards too much space to run into and forced the AEI into a scrambling defence.
An AEI half-time lead was overturned by two forward driven scores to leave AEI a point behind with only 10 minutes to go. Two well taken scores thanks to some slick passing allowed the AEI to reclaim the lead and resolute tackling at the end meant that Coventry Tech were unable to respond before the final whistle.
While AEI will be happy with the victory, profligate handling meant that the result was closer than necessary with several players guilty of “white-line fever.” Nonetheless this was a deserving win and a tough introduction to the rigours of league rugby.