There was without much doubt more than just a hint of ‘’ after the Lord Mayor’s Show’’ about the Coventry performance & victory, although ultimately five more precious points were gained to move the Blue & Whites into the top half of the table.

Following the fine win at Plymouth, Cov were however rather more generous to their visitors on this occasion, Launceston, or the Cornish All Blacks as their 1st XV are known benefiting considerably from  rather too many mistakes & missed first up tackles.
For the first time in four matches, the dreaded yellow card hit the scene, hooker Chris Whitehead spending 10 minutes on the sidelines early in the second half, although to their credit, Cov conceded nothing in terms of points during his absence when the All Blacks applied pressure. Earlier the visitors lock Pape had also been carded for pulling down a rolling maul, from which Coventry did benefit courtesy of Darren Clayton’s close in try.

On their first visit, it was the Cornish All Blacks who drew first blood, new fly half Ireland landing two successful penalties in the opening ten minutes, winger Fabian also missing a monster 60 metre attempt with the  stiff breeze behind him.
After 12 minutes however, Coventry were in front courtesy of Myles Dorrian. The fly half who missed the Plymouth win with a back problem broke clean through for his first try of the season, Dorrian converting his own try. 7-6 became 12-6 two minutes later, flanker Jamie Miller making a fine run to the corner, Dorrian’s attempted conversion just failing. The Cov fly half did land a penalty two minutes later & playing into the stiff breeze, Cov at this point looked comfortable.

Within the next eight minutes however, 15-6 was to become 15-20 as the All Blacks top try scorer Matt Jess crossed twice after indifferent work in defence from Coventry, with Ireland converting both.

Shortly afterwards, after Pape received his yellow card, the home pack kept up the pressure for Darren Clayton to slip over unopposed in the left hand corner, Dorrian’s attempted conversion rebounding back off a post. With the visitors attacking hard however, it took a try saving tackle from Kurt Johnson in his 199th senior appearance for the club to ensure the score line remained 20 points all at the break.

Early home second half pressure saw Chris Whitehead knock on & Rudi Brits held short before on 46 minutes, Coventry went back in front. Acting captain Laurie McGlone it was who claimed the try from close in with Dorrian adding the conversion. The Whitehead carding after 51 minutes took some of the steam out of Cov’s wind assisted efforts, the Cornish visitors pressing but to no avail. An unconverted George Dixon try after 68 minutes eased the Butts Park men into a 12 point lead, before more indifferent tacking allowed Ireland to run in Cornish All Blacks third try, Ireland’s conversion cutting the margin to five points with 10 minutes left.

Myles Dorrian however eased any real remaining home nerves with a penalty seven minutes from time, Ireland however wasting a penalty for the visitors three minutes later which would , if it had been successful, have given the Cornishmen their first point on their travels this season.

Not a vintage Coventry performance by any means, but importantly a winning one. But as Head Coach Murray Henderson agreed post match, something of a reality check before the visit to the other newcomers to the Division, Esher.

Four wins from the last five matches is however a much healthier picture than the scenario prevailing a month ago.

Coventry; Ben Toft, George Dixon, Donovan Sanders, Logon Kirisome, Kurt Johnson, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Dai Maddocks, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Gregor Gillanders, Ian Nimmo, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Stuart Friswell, Carl Rimmer, Danny Hodge, Henno Venter, Mike Walls, Jack Cobden, Hendry Rheeders

Coventry. Tries; Myles Dorrian, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone, George Dixon.

Conversions; Dorrian 2. Penalty goals; Dorrian 2.

Cornish All Blacks. Tries; Matt Jess 2, Scott Ireland.

Conversions; Ireland 3. Penalty goals; Ireland 2.