To make matters worse Henno Venter was forced off after just 3 minutes with possible concussion, replacement from Ross McMillan.

On 8 minutes Ben Russell missed a penalty only for Johnny Bentley to kick one for the Pirates 2 minutes later to open up their account. Line out play remained a problem but Cov, through Fangatapu Apikitoa, equalised after 27 minutes with a well struck drop goal. Within a minute Kevin Davis had to replace Dai Maddocks as a blood replacement, Ben Russell landing a penalty on the half hour to put Coventry 6 - 3 in the lead.

The turning point came on 39 minutes when Jamie Miller was yellow carded following a period of Pirates pressure. Cov though, defended well to see out the half still 3 points to the good.

Another blow at the start of the second half saw McMillan knocked out and after a lengthy delay, the game resumed with Davis coming on as a permanent replacement. In a length of the field move shortly afterwards, Davies was prominent in the build up cross for the Pirates’ first try which remained unconverted, but was sufficient to put the home side 8-6 up. Worse was to follow as Bentley scored an excellent try after some outstanding trickery, the same player converting for 15 -6 to the Cornish Pirates.

On 51 minutes another blow, Apikitoa departed with a knee injury and was replaced by Ollie Winter who went to full back; Russell moving to fly half.  Will Hurrell replacing James Lewis made an immediate impact with a strong run. Cov kept pressing in to the final quarter with Jamie Miller scoring a deserved unconverted try to pull back the margin to 15 -11.

The lead was cut even more after 72 minutes, a Russell penalty cutting the margin to just one point with everything to play for. However on 75 minutes McAtee crossed for Pirates third try, again unconverted to leave his side 20 -14 in the lead. Ben Dechartres came on for the injured Pons, but despite constant Cov pressure the Piartes held out for a hard earned win.

Pride, passion and commitment were evident from this display and well worth the losing bonus point, with the squad coming back well after everything that had hit them during the weekend.

Coventry.  Ben Russell, James Lewis, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Lewis, Romain Plantey, Fangatapu Apikitoa, Mike Walls, Dai Maddocks, Jo Merrigan, Jamie Hall, Sam Herrington, Louis McGowan, Henno Venter, Ben Pons, Jamie Miller (Capt)

Replacements; Ross McMillan, Scott Roberts, Rob Dugard, Kevin Davis, Ben Dechartres, Ollie Winter, Will Hurrell

Coventry. Tries; Jamie Miller. Penalty goals; Ben Russell 2. Drop goal; Fangatapu Apikitoa.

Cornish Pirates; Tries; Wes Davies, Johnny Bentley, Rhodri McAtee. Conversion; Bentley. Penalty goal; Bentley.