An excellent break by Nathan Jones was carried on by Darren Clayton that resulted in a maiden try for hooker Chris Whitehead.
The CAB's fought back strongly earning a close in try to level the score at 5-5.
Hard work by the Coventry pack produced a try for prop Carl Rimmer, which was duly converted by Ronnie McClean to make the score 12-5.
A further Laurie McGlone try materialised in injury time, following a break from the 25 meter line, McClean claimed the extra two points with a conversion, to take Cov into the break with a well deserved halftime score of 19-5.
Within 5 minutes of the restart the game was effectively won for Cov, with a fourth and bonus winning point try by Nathan Jones, following his excellent break from the 25 meter line. The try was again converted by McClean making the score 26-5.
A yellow card then followed for Chris Whitehead, during which time CAB scored another close in try to move within 16 points at 26-10. In the 52 minute Cov gained a penalty inside their own half which McClean duly placed the ball between the posts to move Cov 9 points clear at 19-10.
With Chris Whitehead coming out of the sin bin Coventry were back to full strength, but they had to fight off wave after wave of CAB pressure that was mainly located in their own 25. Cov held out heroically until an injury time close in try by CAB made the score 29-17.
There followed a further 10 minutes of injury time but Coventry continued to defend resolutely and fully deserved their bonus point win, which in reality relegates CAB to National Division 2 rugby.
Overall a satisfactory away win against a strengthened CAB side, who never gave up even though they were under pressure in the scrums from a heavier pack. Cov managed to pinch at least 4 lineouts and a scrum against the head. It was another fine team effort, with excellent work from Laurie McGlone, Chris Whitehead, Myles Dorrian and my man of the match Nathan Jones.
And finally, well done to the hardy group of Cov supporters who made the long trip, they must have felt they were richly rewarded.
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