Codling credits Falcons' second-half recovery

09/09/2023 18:05

The Premiership Rugby Cup clash saw the visitors building on a 12-7 half-time lead, Codling saying: "First things first we're delighted with the win and to have got five points on the road.

"Ampthill is a tough place to come and it was a boiling-hot day.

"In the first 40 minutes we weren't where we needed to be, part of which I anticipated with it being our first hit-out, but in the second half I thought we showed more of the intent, ambition and energy that I want from this team, and we scored some great tries.

"Ampthill deserve a huge amount of credit.

"They flew out of the blocks and we didn't, and the biggest takeaway for us is just around that mind-set and lacking the intent in lots of things we did during the first half.

"Ampthill were behind on the scoreboard at half-time but they were more than a match for us at that point – albeit it we did pull away in the second half once we had more go-forward and quick ball.

"The ambition in the second half from our players was really good, and we've learned plenty from the game as a whole as we build into the season."

The former England lock added after his first game in charge: "It's a positive start overall but we're not getting carried away.

"It's a young group, a new coaching group and we've got plenty to work on, but of course we're delighted with the five points.

"The more time we spend together on the field playing will obviously help build those connections and combinations, and it's 80 minutes under our belt.

"Secondly, we'll work hard at reducing the error count. There were a lot of mistakes in the first half, which ultimately affects games, but as I said I thought I second half was much better.

"Our goal-line defence to keep them out right at the end meant just as much to me as any of the tries we scored, because we could easily have given another seven away when the game was won.

"It wouldn't have affected the result but it meant a lot to me that we defended our line with such energy, and there were plenty of positives as well as the work-ons I've mentioned."

Buoyed on by a sizeable away following in the Bedfordshire countryside, Codling said: "There were a load of Falcons shirts in the crowd today, and I thought our away support was fantastic.

"I said to the lads at the end to go over and thank them because they've come a long way to support us, and we know first-hand the amount of travel that goes on around this club.

"It was lovely to see them all at Ampthill, and we hope as many supporters as possible come out on Friday when we host Bedford Blues.

"We're going to have a real crack, and we've got some outstanding talent in the group."

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