Again promising beginnings, but ultimately immense disappointment as London Welsh finally pulled away to victory at Old Deer Park, which in the first quarter had again looked unlikely. Once more however, a yellow card greatly affected the pattern of the game and that coupled with a far too high penalty count were major factors in the ensuing defeat.

Cov fans could be forgiven for believing that after what they had witnessed up to the half hour mark, a first win of the season was possibly going to happen on a pitch which in recent times has not been a particularly happy hunting ground. The Blue and Whites very early on had caused the Welsh any number of problems in both scrum and line outs and signs were certainly promising. As early as the 2nd minute, the hosts were caught offside by Irish exchange referee Doyle, Cov skipper Ben Russell stepping up to coolly slot the penalty from fully 49 metres. It got even better five minutes later. Five or six phases of play were put together before Tom Slater sniped over triumphantly for his maiden club try, Russell landing the easy conversion.

The first real London Welsh foray from deep saw Myles Dorrian save an almost certain try with a fine tackle on centre Greg Evans, although from the ensuing set piece they were not to be denied. Although their scrum was again in some disarray, Welsh rescued possession to send full back Paul Sampson in on a fine angle for the try, converted by fly half Mitchell Burton.

Within four minutes however, Coventry had countered and answered very effectively. From beyond halfway, Dorrian set George Dixon away with a long pass, Kurt Johnson, then Dorrian again , before finally flanker Darren Clayton was set free on a diagonal run for the corner to seal what in fact was his first try for the club. Russell’s conversion attempt sailed just wide. 15-7 and looking good.

It was however to be very nearly another hour before Cov were to score again. Several promising build ups ultimately came to nothing, Russell being clean through before being called back following a cross over, before the first real signs of possible problems arose. Coventry were penalised for not rolling away after a tackle, Burton slotting the 22 metre penalty, followed then by the try which was to bring the Welsh level at 15 all by the break. After Dorrian had charged down an attempted home clearance only to see the ball fly dead, back came the home side. From close in Olly Hodge was yellow carded, the home pack capitalising with hooker Adam Kwasnicki being driven over, Burton’s kick failing.

Disappointingly for the travelling support, London Welsh were to dominate too many phases over the next half an hour as the penalty count, missed tackles and kicks to touch consistently cost ground. Two minutes into the second half, a big Welsh drive from a line out saw Burton land the ensuing penalty for killing the ball at a ruck and although restored to fifteen men, Cov wasted two good line out positions, followed by another penalty against which saw the Welsh kick to the corner. From the line out, flanker Simon Etheredge burst over and although the conversion failed, the home side were two scores in front at 23-15. Coventry did build an attack on 53 minutes following a forward drive before a promising position was lost, replacement fly half Tom Marks increasing the Welsh lead with a 64 minute penalty.

Home full back Sampson was lucky to escape censure after a high tackle on Donovan Sanders before worse was to follow on 70 minutes which all but took the game finally out of Coventry’s reach. Somehow possession from a Coventry line out throw five metres from the home line was lost, the Welsh moving the ball swiftly fully 90 metres before Sampson crossed for a bonus point claiming try, Marks converting.

From 33-15 down, the final twist in the tale though. Suddenly within the space of two minutes, London Welsh found themselves reduced to 13 men for the second week running as Cox and Thomas received yellow cards. As full time approached, firstly replacement scrum half Mike Walls was able to squeeze over from a five metre scrum, followed two minutes later with a bonus point claiming try and a maiden club touchdown as well for Jamie Miller on as a replacement at flanker. With Ronnie Mc Lean , himself having replaced skipper Russell coolly landing both conversions, the margin was suddenly just four points.

Several minutes of frenetic action saw Cov attempt to pull out another try, the Welsh however repelling.

It was to be another frustrating defeat, two bonus points achieved, but ultimately the message being lack of discipline and that penalty count against proving very costly indeed.

Coventry; Ben Toft, George Dixon, Ben Russell (Capt), Donovan Sanders, Kurt Johnson, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Dai Maddocks, Stuart Friswell, Rudi Brits, Gregor Gillanders, Ollie Hodge, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone

Replacements; Chris Whitehead, Carl Rimmer, Ian Nimmo, Jamie Miller, Mike Walls, Ronnie Mc Lean, Lee Parry.

Coventry. Tries; Tom Slater, Darren Clayton, Mike Walls, Jamie Miller.

Conversions; Ronnie Mc Lean 2, Ben Russell. Penalty goal; Russell

London Welsh. Tries; Paul Sampson 2, Adam Kwasnicki, Simon Etheredge.

Conversions; Mitchell Burton, Tom Marks. Penalty goals; Burton 2,  Marks

Referee; J P Doyle Ireland.