Cornish Pirates 20 Coventry RFC 14

HAVING been defeated by Exeter Chiefs last time out, Coventry suffered another defeat down in the South West. The day did not start brightly as they lost influential South African Henno Venter inside three minutes. The all-action flanker was flattened by a thumping Pirates hit and, after a lengthy spell of treatment, he rose to his feet looking decidedly groggy. He was replaced immediately

by McMillan.

Despite the early re-jig, Coventry started brightly enough and could have taken the lead on six minutes. Sadly, full-back Ben Russell was unable to convert a penalty chance.

At the other end, Pirates fly-half Jonny Bentley showed Russell exactly how it should be done as he broke the deadlock on 10 minutes.

Although down, Coventry were still happy to take the game to their hosts and deservedly drew level when Tongan international Fangatapu Apikotoa fired over a drop-goal followed a sustained of pressure.

With the natives growing restless, Maynard’s men continued to disrupt the Pirates plan – prop Dai Maddocks leading the way with one thunderous hit on former Cov favourite James Moore.

Coventry, though, were left to rue a golden chance on 27 minutes when scrum-half Michael Walls knocked on from a set move just five metres from the home line.

The visitors did take the lead eventually when, five minutes before the break, Russell convert eda penalty after the hosts had strayed offside.

With the half all but up, Coventry were dealt a double blow when first skipper James Miller was sin-binned for persistent infringement, then McMillan was stretchered off with what looked like a serious neck injury. Even though they were down a man, Coventry valiantly held off the Pirates.

On the resumption, it was the Pirates who were quickest out of the traps as Bentley’s clever chip-and-chase released Nick Jackson, who in turn fed Wes Davies who glided over from halfway.

Although Bentley failed to convert, he did add the extras to his own brilliant score on 45 minutes – the Kiwi dazzling the visitors with a turn of footwork that the judges on Strictly would have been raving about.

Coventry refused to lie down and on 65 minutes they hauled themselves back into the contest when Miller charged his way over from a five-metre scrum.

Russell failed with the conversion attempt, but he set up a grandstand finish when he collected his second penalty of the afternoon to leave just a point in it with five minutes remaining.

The scored acted as a wake-up call to the home side who wrapped up the game with a late score from Welsh winger Rhodri McAtee. However, there was still time for Coventry to have one final chance, sadly they made a hash of a glorious opening just yards from the home line.

Tries: Davies, Bentley, McAtee; Conversion – Bentley; Penalty – Bentley

Try: Miller; Penalties – Russell (2); Drop-Goal – Apikotoa

Yellow Card: Miller

Referee: J P Doyle (RFU)

Attendance: 2,695.