Coventry’ followers have every right to feel very concerned and worried after this bitterly disappointing defeat at Sharmans Cross Road.

Having had much the better of territory throughout a mistake ridden and poor quality match, Cov really should have wrapped this one up, but for the third game running, which h as seen them gain just three points from sides below them in the table, the inability to close the match out hit hard. Once more, with discipline again being a key point, a yellow card on 77 minutes to replacement hooker Stuart Friswell had a hand in the defeat, but in all honesty having spent some 30 minutes of the second half in home territory, the match and victory should have been long since sewn up.

17-7 to the Blue and Whites at the break leaving the faithful travelling support to this time believe that surely a win could be achieved. A poor quality half had only been lightened with a Murchie try for the Bees converted by Higgins, whilst for Cov, who had seen skipper Ben Russell kick them into an early lead, two tries close to half time seemed to improve confidence as the visitors had their best spell of the match.

First fly half Myles Dorrian sped superbly through a gap from 35 metres for a fine individual try despite a last ditch despairing tackle, then six minutes later Jack Cobden was able to claim his maiden club try. A Higgins pass inside his own half went horribly astray only to be snapped up by the 18 year old centre who stormed in from nearly 40 metres. Russell converted both and surely Coventry could build from there.

Despite all their dominance of territory and positions, Cov indeed did not add to their try tally. Higgins landed three penalties from four attempts for the home side as the infringement count increased, Russell adding one for Coventry, but at 20-16 with 17 minutes left much work was still needed. Frustratingly after four or five phases of play, Ben Russell’s attempted drop goal was charged down, Hendry Rheeders was held in the home 22, a pass in a similar position to Gregor Gillanders also being adjudged forward.

With Bees finally breaking down field courtesy of several phases of play, Cov were suddenly forced to defend as the final minutes ticked away. The Friswell yellow card came on 77 minutes as the Butts Park men defended their own line, but with Bees continuing to press with a number of close in penalties, five minutes into injury time left wing Uche was able to squeeze in on the right for the match winning try. It mattered little that Higgins conversion and last kick of the game failed.

A desperately disappointing defeat, which frankly on position and possession alone should have been so different.

Coventry; Ben Russell (Capt), Kurt Johnson, Jack Cobden, Logon Kirisome, Ben Toft, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Dai Maddocks, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Gregor Gillanders, Ollie Hodge, Hendry Rheeders, Henno Venter, Laurie McGlone

Replacements; Stuart Friswell, Carl Rimmer, Ian Nimmo, Sam Montague, Jamie Miller.

Not used; Danny Hodge, Mike Walls

Coventry. Tries; Myles Dorrian, Jack Cobden. Conversions; Ben Russell 2. Penalty; Russell 2

Pertemps Bees; Tries; Pete Murchie, Odouza Uche. Conversion John Higgins 1. Penalty goal; Higgins 3