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The Coventry Jets travel to face the Farnham Fast Lane Knights on the back of their first victory of the season. The 34-0 shutout of the London Cobras on Saturday lifted the Jets into fourth place and playoff contention but they still trail the Knights by two games for third place. The two clubs have met three times in the past with the Jets winning all meetings, however, they’ve all been very competitive matches with Coventry never winning by more than a solitary score.

After starting out with three wins in their first four games, the Knights have slumped to three consecutive defeats including a 24-0 loss at the hands of the Cobras. The Jets will be looking to taste victory on the road for the first time this season but are mired in the midst of an injury crisis once again. With several players carrying knocks and subject to late fitness tests, Head Coach Gerry McManus knows he will already be without rookie receivers Tom Brownlee (knee) & Chris Shorey (arm).

Carl James has handed the Jets receiving core an unexpected boost by declaring himself fit after suffering an injury during the 39-20 loss at the London Blitz in June. Rich Carey is still nursing his broken foot and is unlikely to be back before any potential playoff match. Carey’s joined on the injury list by Anthony Nip who was helped from the field after suffering a heavy blow to his ribs in last week’s victory.

Lorne Sam will be asked to carry the offensive load once again as he continues to light up opposing defenses. His 1075 yards passing through five games is the fourth highest regular season total in Jets’ history and just 103 yards shy of Dax Michelina’s 2008 total. Sam’s main target has emerged as Jeremy Simms who has 444 yards receiving, his highest total in the Premier Division and best output since 2006 when he had 734 during his debut season as a Jet.

Simms was instrumental in Coventry’s win at Farnham last season, his diving grab at the back of the endzone was the difference as the Jets came from behind to snatch victory 24-21 in the final moments of a tense affair. Whilst Simms was the difference in that June meeting, he was almost anonymous in the August return, Coach Ian Ellis and his side restricted the speedy receiver to just one reception for five yards in falling to a 12-7 defeat at Coventry Sphinx.

None of the players that were involved in the Jets scores that day are still with the team. Quarterback Stuart Franklin remains in Spain whilst receiver Dale Hawes now plays for neighbours Leicester and Dominic Olney is plying his trade in Finland. Courtney Pope is Coventry’s most likely threat, the American receiver has scored six touchdowns so far in a streak that has seen him reach the endzone in every game.

Off the back of it’s first shutout in almost a year the Jets defense seems to be in buoyant mood. A combined 13 takeaways has seen them setting the tone for McManus’ side. A quiet game against the Cobras aside, Vince Brown still leads Coventry in tackles with 44, the former Memphis State standout will once again line up at middle linebacker and will be charged with stopping the Knights’ star running back Kingsley Ejiogu.

Ejiogu is in the midst of his best season since gaining almost 2000 yards in 2007. The 30 year old former Great Britain star has broken the 100 yard mark in his previous two outing versus the Cobras and the Sussex Thunder. His only previous match against the Jets ended early with a trip to A&E as he suffered a severe finger injury. Up to that point Coventry’s defense had struggled to get to grip with the elusive back and will be wary again on Sunday.

Whilst the Jets are away this week, your next chance to see them at the Butts Park Arena will be the Saturday night game versus the 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.

Photo shows Lorne Sam (Courtesy of Ville Vuorinen  X-it Sports Photography)