A disappointing run of defeats came to an end at Cross Green, with Coventry also gaining the much needed bonus point.

Against a plucky home side, playing for pride as much as anything, Cov still made rather heavy weather of achieving the win, there  being far too many unenforced errors and mistakes.

However, hopefully the result on a ground which is never easy to produce a result on will have re built some confidence after the recent defeats and will also perhaps take some of the pressure off the players.

Otley had first use of a very strong and cold wind and at half time it 10pts all. Cov edged in front with a Ben Russell penalty, Otley replying with a try from Wederell converted by Greemdale. Coventry went back in front, Ben Russell charging down an attempted chip to coast in from 35 metres, Ben’s conversion making it 10-7 before Greendale slotted a penalty on 33 minutes.

Although Jamie Miller was yellow carded on 47 minutes, on either side of it Shuttleworth and Dench for Otley also receiving similar orders from the referee as Cov largely dominated the second half. Donovan Sanders ran in two tries, the second clinching the important bonus point, Laurie McGlone with his 11th of the season scoring the other. Russell converted the second, whilst replacement Tommy Hayes kicked a last minute penalty.

For plucky Otley who never stopped running or trying, Greendale landed another penalty.
Above all though, Coventry got the result and points so desperately needed.

Coventry. Ollie Winter, Lee Parry, George Dixon, Donovan Sanders, Will Hurrell, Ben Russell, Mike Walls, Rob Dugard, Chris Whitehead (Capt), Rudi Brits, Sam Herrington, Ollie Atkinson, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Stewart Pearl for Whitehead, Laurence Sanderson for Dugard, Henno Venter for Atkinson, Kurt Johnson for Parry, Tommy Hayes for Russell.

Not used; Ben Toft, Ronnie McLean

Coventry. Tries; Donovan Sanders 2, Ben Russell, Laurie McGlone.

Conversions; Russell 3. Penalty goals; Russell 1, Tommy Hayes 1

Otley. Try; Ryan Wederell. Conversion; Adam Greendale. Penalty goals; Greendale 2