Another occasion full of emotion as the Coventry squad gave a performance in many ways of which they could be justifiably proud.

Even locals at Sandy Park concluded at the final whistle the margin flattered the Chiefs, the reasoning being that for lengthy periods Cov, after another immensely difficult week certainly gave as good as they got.

Major differences were where Exeter, so strong on the counter certainly used that to good effect on at least one occasion, allied to the fact their pack of forwards were just that little bit stronger in a number of areas, notably the rolling maul from line outs.

Coventry though in red and white change kit certainly started positively with the breeze behind them, Ollie Grove displaying his goal kicking prowess within 6 minutes as Exeter were penalised 45 metres out for offside. The young winger landed his second penalty from 33 metres after the Chiefs were penalised at a line out, although by then Gray had landed two for the home side. 6pts all after 23 minutes. The second of the home penalties had seen Aaron Carpenter received yellow for deliberately killing possession.

Whilst down to 14 men Cov did not concede a point, but on 25 minutes they were hit by one of those Exeter counters. Wing man Jess was allowed to storm fully 40 metres from his own half before feeding scrum half Thomas who in turn had a clear run in from 35 metres for Gray to convert with ease.

Coventry then had to absorb more pressure before after 35 minutes a diagonal kick to the corner saw Jess tap back for centre Dollman to gather and just gain the touchdown. Gray this time missed his conversion but Exeter ominously were 18 -6 clear.

A Cov move shortly afterwards halted near half way as Henno Venter knocked on, Romain Plantey being spoken to by referee Hall for an infringement. There was also still time for Grove to miss a penalty attempt from 43 metres and for Drew Locke to apply a nice little cameo which ultimately was halted.

12 points down at half time and Cov needed a good start playing into the breeze which sadly though did not materialise. Within a minute a powerful surge from ex Coventry man Johnson was halted only for Gray to land a straight forward penalty for offside. Four minutes later a penalty kick to the corner saw Coventry illegally in the view of the referee pull down a rolling maul only to see a penalty try awarded; a decision which frankly seemed harsh, Gray converting for 28 -6.

Eight minutes later with Cov finding it difficult to move out of their own half, another catch and drive saw prop Budgen drive over, Gray again missing.

On 63 minutes an excellent Drew Locke break was held up in the Exeter 22 through lack of support, but Coventry as they had done throughout were playing with great spirit. Another piece of superb individualism by Locke, Cov’s man of the match gained his side 40 metres to the home 22, before a long pass cross field sent the home side clear again only for the move to be halted 20 metres out.

Pressure was kept on however with firstly replacement Foster striding over, Gray converting and then another driving maul saw Saul Nelson cross for try number 6, Gray’s miss leaving the score at 45 -6.

It was Coventry though who had the final word with Drew Locke setting up the try of the game. The young centre burst clear from his own half before several more pairs of hands finally sent in Chris Lewis in the left hand corner, Lewis missing the kick.

A finale though which saw sections of the Exeter crowd give Cov a standing ovation, with the visiting players returning the compliment by themselves thanking the crowd. It was truly an emotional ending.

Coventry. Ollie Winter, Ollie Grove, Drew Locke, Chris Lewis, Romain Plantey, Fangatapu Apikotoa, Mike Walls, Rob Dugard, Ross McMillan, Jamie Hall, Sam Herrington, Louis McGowan, Aaron Carpenter, Richie Bignell, Henno Venter (Capt)

Replacements; David Askew for Venter, Benjy Dechartres for McGowan, Tommy Hayes for Apikotoa, Jo Merrigan for McMillan, Dai Maddocks for Dugard, Simon Frewin for Plantey, James Lewis for Grove.

Coventry. Try; Chris Lewis. Penalty goals; Ollie Grove 2

Exeter. Tries; Matt Jess, Phil Dollman, Chris Budgen, Mark Foster, Saul Nelson, Penalty Try. Conversions; Danny Gray 3. Penalty Goals; Gray 3

John Butler