If the hard earned trophy win a week earlier had given the squad a real lift, this first success at Clifton  Lane for four seasons was however an even bigger boost for the club.

In many ways success was earned the hard way, poor discipline  enabling the hosts to take early advantage, two yellow cards, plus more worrying injuries to an already depleted back division.

Overall though the victory was in every sense a truly team one, with coach Brett Davey again contributing a vital playing role as the Blue and Whites dominated the second half despite the injury set backs in a match which was full of mistakes by both sides.

Looking to achieve a first league double of the season, Cov could not have made a worse start on a playing surface in excellent condition after all the heavy rains, home full back Lennard kicking two penalties within the opening 17 minutes as four infringements were committed. Then in the first real sortie into the Titans half after 20 minutes, Coventry struck with real efficiency. Kurt Johnson caused problems on the right as the home defence got in a tangle, Darren Clayton was there in support for Ollie Hodge to crash over for his second try of the season. Ben Russell’s attempted conversion sailing wide.

Hendry Rheeders replaced the limping Henno Venter, but within five minutes Cov were in front. From a line out just inside the home half, excellent work by Nathan Jones, Davey and Johnson, inside from the right, set Sam Montague free on a beautifully angled run to the left of the posts for his first try of the season, Russell landing the conversion for 12-6.

On 28 minutes referee Maybank after consultation with a touch judge awarded Rotherham another penalty, Lennard firing wide from 42 metres before two minutes later Clayton was yellow carded; the culmination it seemed of a number of incidents preceding the decision.

Cov , a man short were made to pay three minutes later, Rotherham scoring what was to be their only try of the match. From a scrum inside the Titans half, scrum half Hallam was able to take advantage of there being no open side flanker opposing before breaking clear for fully 50 metres before somehow Myles Dorrian got back to nail the number nine five metres out, only for flanker Jacobz to pick up the loose ball to plunge over, Lennard converting. Six minutes of injury then brought no further scores.

With the wind behind, Coventry returned for the second half already without Venter but now also skipper Russell (back) and Ben Toft a bang on the head. Tom Slater came on to play on the left wing, Lee Parry on the right, with Johnson moving inside and Montague to full back.

How well though the injury hit side responded as the Titans, continually pegged back following intelligent kicking from Montague, Jones, Davey and Dorrian were destined to not add to their score. Two drop goals from close in from Davey saw the coach join the three others who have landed that number in a league game for the club. 18-13 and it became even better after 60 minutes. After possession had been superbly re cycled, the astute Davey punted high to the left hand touch line where Hendry Rheeders was able to gather before plunging over for try number three, Davey in the absence of Russell converting superbly from wide out for 25-13.

More concern was to follow however with Johnson yellow  carded on 65 minutes for a late tackle. Three minutes later, Lennard was to miss again  from 38 metres as Cov infringed. Titans continued to press but simply did not have the pace, strength or guile to breakdown the visiting defence.

Another very important away win had been achieved, sadly at some cost because of the injuries. There was no hiding the delight of the team and the faithful travelling support however, even though despite the victory with results elsewhere it still meant 9th spot in the division.

Coventry. Ben Toft, Kurt Johnson, Ben Russell (Capt), Brett Davey, Simon Montague, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones, Carl Rimmer, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Ollie Hodge, Ian Nimmo, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Dai Maddocks for Brits, Gregor Gillanders for O Hodge, Danny Hodge for Nimmo, Tom Slater for Russell, Lee Parry for Toft, Hendry Rheeders for Venter.

Not used; Stuart Friswell

Coventry. Tries; Olllie Hodge, Sam Montague, Hendry Rheeders. Conversions; Ben     Russell 1, Brett Davey 1. Drop goals; Davey 2

Rotherham. Try Barry Jacobz. Conversion; Jamie Lennard. Penalty goals; Lennard 2.