Not the happiest of visits to a very wet Brickfields, but without question a final score line which rather flattered Albion.

Whilst overall Plymouth were marginally the better side, Coventry’s recent lack of match and training practice did not help. That much said, had a number of chances early on not gone begging when Cov were in the ascendancy then maybe the final result could have been different and a lot closer.

In very difficult conditions, heavy rain had fallen in Devon overnight and returned after some 30 minutes into the game, both sides understandably made mistakes, Coventry however allowing rather too much turnover ball to go to the opposition, coupled with the missed chances.

The score line however was a little flattering considering that the final Albion try in injury time came following a tackle by home centre Fisilau on Ben Russell which surely bordered on the dangerous, even the home crowd gasped, the ball subsequently going loose as Russell lay prone enabling the home side to score under the posts.

Earlier however it has to be said Plymouth too had their chances, notably in the first half, a knock on occurring with the line begging and Mike Walls also putting in a superb try saving cover tackle.

It was Plymouth who finally took the lead on 27 minutes, a close in line out and drive enabling winger Gibson, who had joined the action to come up with the ball, Davies converting as heavy rain which fell for the rest of the game began to tumble down.

Back close to half time, Cov returned with more attacking, Phil Mackenzie twice probing for openings, the only score coming when the Blue and Whites again exerted pressure at a set scrum which they did pretty successfully throughout. From one such set piece Albion infringed, Fangatapu Apikotoa landing the 25 metre penalty. 7 -3 at half time.

With all the replacements being used in the second half as conditions grew steadily worse, Albion applied pressure although the only additions to the score were penalties kicked by Davies in the 18th and 33rd minutes. In between with the score at 10-3, Kurt Johnson almost pulled points back. A kick from the home 22 saw Kurt follow up with a long dribble along the touchline only to be denied a try on the home goal line as a desperate hand got to the ball first. A defining moment.

As it was the only other score was Tuipulotu’s controversial try in injury time, converted by Hallett.

Coventry. Ben Russell, Romain Plantey, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Lewis, James Lewis, Fanagatapu Apikotoa, Mike Walls, Dai Maddoscks, Ross McMillan, Jamie Hall, Sam Herrington, Louis McGowan, Henno Venter (Capt), Richie Bignell, Aaron Carpenter.

Replacements; Matthew Dwyer for McMillan, Scott Roberts for Hall, Benji Dechartres for Mc Gowan, James Harrop for Bignell, Tommy Hayes for Apikotoa, Geraint Davies for Venter, Kurt Johnson for Plantey.

Coventry. Penalty goal; Fangatapu Apikotoa.

Plymouth. Tries; Liam Gibson, Sione Tuipulotu. Conversions; Alex Davies, Kieran Hallett. Penalty goals; Davies 2