Coventry duly gained the revenge win they were looking for after the defeat earlier in the season in Surrey, but once again they had to work pretty impressively in defence to ensure that was all possible.

Esher on their first ever visit certainly gave enough evidence to show why they have enjoyed a pretty successful first season in the Division. What they did run up against however was another very unforgiving performance defensively by the Blue and Whites who’s ranks were only defeated twice.

Coventry for their part also had some good moments in attack, particularly in the first half. Interestingly and not for the first time though, both sides tended to play better when battling into the strong wind blowing straight down the pitch.

It took just 7 minutes playing into that wind for Cov to surge in front and what a glorious try it was. Myles Dorrian made a serious break from just inside his own half and with the visiting defence split Darren Clayton carried the move on. When checked on the Esher ‘’22’’, the flanker was able to feed the supporting Chris Whitehead who crashed over for his second try in consecutive games. Ronnie McLean misjudged the wind with his conversion attempt.

Full back Hallett was just short with a 45 metre angled penalty attempt before Esher edged in front after 29 minutes. Earlier Kurt Johnson was held on the right after Cov had not made the best use of an overlap situation, Esher’s Clouston also breaking dangerously. Two minutes later however the visitors were not to be denied, Clouston crossing after supporting a Slemen break from fly half, Hallett converting.

On 32 minutes an excellent rolling maul from a line out won Coventry a penalty. A kick to touch then saw the forwards drive hooker Whitehead over for his second try of the match, McLean again badly misjudging his conversion.

A Hallett penalty just before the break then cut the deficit to 10-7 at the break.

Within a minute of the restart Ronnie Mc Lean kicked a 30 metre penalty before Hallett and McLean exchanged further penalties to leave the match in the balance at 16-10.

For a time even with the wind advantage Cov were struggling a little and they were made to pay when on 53 minutes tackling for once did let then down allowing Slemen to slice through for Esher’s second try, Hallett converting to give his side the lead for the second time at 16-17

Pressure began to tell on the visitors however culminating in flanker Soden receiving ‘’yellow’’ after 61 minutes and from which Coventry were finally able to capitalise. From a scrum in the visiting ‘’22’’, the home forwards won the ball against the head for number eight Laurie McGlone to charge over for his 9th try of the season, Mc Lean converting.

The wing man added another three points four minutes later, this time from 42 metres, with what was to prove to be the final points of the game. Esher maintaining possession well then battered away inside the home half as they sought a bonus point, but the Cov defence was in no mood to give anything else away and a hard earned win was achieved after five plus minutes of added on time.

Disappointingly this time no bonus point, but another important win lifting the side to 7th in National Division One following Plymouth’s defeat at Rotherham. Also victory number three on the trot for acting coach Dave Addleton who clearly was pleased enough afterwards with both the win and the performance.

Coventry. Ben Russell (Capt), Kurt Johnson, Jack Cobden, Donovan Sanders, Ronnie McLean, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones, Carl Rimmer, Chris Whitehead, Rob Dugard, Ollie Hodge, Ian Nimmo, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Dai Maddocks for Rimmer, Jamie Miller for Clayton, Danny Hodge for O. Hodge

Not used; Ricky Whitehall,  Tom Slater, Mike Walls, Sam Montague

Coventry. Tries; Chris Whitehead, Laurie McGlone. Conversion; Ronnie McLean Penalty goals; McLean 3.

Esher. Tries; Toby Clouston, Dave Slemen. Conversions; Neil Hallett 2  Penalty goal; Hallett