There were a number of very disappointing elements to come out of this biggest ever defeat Coventry have experienced against London Welsh at Old Deer Park.

True, it was against a side riding high third in the table, but who are still experiencing severe problems off the pitch. What probably disappointed most however was not only the extent of the defeat, but also the manner of it.

Some six mistakes committed in the opening 10 minutes did not bode well as London Welsh tried to strike early, nevertheless Cov did find themselves 8 points to the good inside the first quarter. It was a state of affairs that was destined not to last once the Welsh had hit hard with three tries in 9 minutes. Put quite simply, if you carry on making mistakes at this level you are bound to pay a high price and the Blue and Whites certainly did. There was very little control of the game and with the play offs beckoning, overall little which happened was certainly not designed to build confidence ahead of them.

Quite how the Welsh Dragons did not score in the opening 10 minutes probably only they know as several opportunities went a begging and Coventry certainly made them pay for a rather lackadaisical beginning. On 10 minutes after absorbing pressure, a kick ahead out of defence caught the Welsh napping and when a clearance kick failed to find touch, a neat passing move right saw Simon Frewin cross wide out for his maiden league try and second overall of the season. Fangatapu Apikotoa missed the conversion although 5 minutes later he was on the mark with a 23 metre penalty. Seconds earlier a despairing ankle tap on Chris Lewis had saved a certain try. 8-0 and so far so good.

It was not to last. Already the Welsh were causing problems in the front five of the forwards and on 24 minutes after Apikotoa was penalised for a high tackle, a penalty to touch saw Welsh put pressure on, right wing Shabbo crossing on the left for Thomas to convert. With Coventry needlessly caught off side following their own kick ahead, another punt to the corner saw London Welsh awarded a penalty try from the resultant retreating scrum, Thomas again converting for 14 -8.

The try of the game followed on 33 minutes, slick handling from their own half saw the home side send Shabbo steaming in from 40 metres, this time Thomas just missing.

Apikotoa was short and wide with a 46 metre penalty attempt into time added on, but at 19 -8 down Cov knew they had plenty of their plate.

Within 2 minutes of the new half and a gift gratefully accepted by the home side and their supporters. Under pressure again at a scrum near half way, Coventry instead to keeping the ball close flipped a pass, gratefully accepted by centre Gower, the loan player from London Irish steaming away unopposed for Thomas to rub further salt in. 26 -8 and effectively game over.

A Corker try sealed a bonus point on 47 minutes as Cov’s defence opened up on the right, Thomas converting, the fly half landing a penalty 7 minutes later.

Coventry then midway through the half finally exerted some pressure, Romain Plantey adding weight to his forwards to claim Cov’s second try, replacement Tommy Hayes missing his kick.

Despite late pressure deep into lengthy time added on, Coventry could not add to their total, by which time London Welsh had added further tries through Sampson and Claassens, Thomas converting one and adding another penalty goal.

It was not an afternoon to remember if you happened to favour the Blue and Whites. Somehow one could not escape the feeling the side need somehow to get out of the rut, keep working and try and build some momentum. Hopefully then as confidence grows the much needed win will come.

Coventry. Romain Plantey, Simon Frewin, Phil Mackenzie, Chris Lewis, James Lewis, Fangatapu Apikotoa, Mike Walls, Dai Maddocks, Ross McMillan, Scott Roberts, Arthur Brenton (Capt), Louis McGowan, Henno Venter, Richie Bignell, Aaron Carpenter.

Replacements; Matt Dwyer for McMillan, Jamie Hall for Roberts, Ben Dechartres for McGowan, Ben Pons for Carpenter, Ollie Frost for Walls, Tommy Hayes for Apikotoa, Kurt Johnson for James Lewis.

Coventry. Tries; Simon Frewin, Romain Plantey. Penalty goal; Fangatapu Apikotoa.

London Welsh. Tries; Dominic Shabbo 2, Charlie Gower, Matt Corker, Paul Sampson, Errie Claassens, Penalty try. Conversions; Aled Thomas 5. Penalty goals; Thomas 2