Not the result or  performance overall that Coventry were looking for, but after an horrendous first half it did look at one point as if  the side might just be looking at a record away defeat.

That statistic was finally avoided courtesy of a much better all round second half effort, but in reality the real damage had already been done and Exeter will no doubt also claim that with such a margin they did go off the boil somewhat. Thank goodness for small mercies.

Yet playing into a stiff wind and in very wet, cold conditions more akin to November, Cov in red change strip made a really positive start. The pack as early as the fifth minute were able to disprupt the vaunted Exeter pack at a scrum just inside home territory. From it Nathan Jones claimed  possession and to shoot away before feeding Myles Dorrian. The Aussie fly half then glided through from 40 metres and with Ronnie McLean converting 7-0 looked good and certainly silenced most of the 4520 in an excellent sized crowd.

Sadly it was too good to last for within three minutes the Chiefs were level and between the 8th and 32nd minute 45 points were added to the home total. Coventry’s play during that period it has to be said simply disintegrated, poor kicking, tackles and bouncing balls missed amongst other errors. Yes Exeter, smarting from a Twickenham defeat and looking to cement second spot were certainly very lively, but frankly everything Cov attempted went totally to pieces. Kingdom opened the home account, Ward after a poor Dorrian kick, Sturgess, Barrett after Cov skipper Ben Russell had missed a bouncing ball, Blythe following a Darren Clayton infringement, Ward again and finally Marsden all crossed piling on the misery with Kingdom converting five.

A brief period just before the interval saw Coventry at last threaten the home line again before Chris Whitehead was penalised for not releasing. It totally summed up a simply awful first half if you happened to support the visitors.

At half time Cov lost skipper Ben Russell who had been feeling unwell replaced by Lee Parry and with the elements finally behind them, the Butts Park men gradually began to get some grip on proceedings. The cause was not helped however on 48 minutes Dai Maddocks receiving ‘’ yellow’’, but not only was the 10 minutes with 14 weathered, so was the whole second period. Three times Exeter pressure was repelled as catch and drives came to nothing, Fatialofa also losing possession over Cov’s line.

Indeed it was Coventry who were to claim the only points of the second forty. On 68 minutes Lee Parry gathered a kick just inside his half before setting up a nice move left from half way. George Dixon then did most of the damage bursting over from 35 metres despite last ditch attempts to stop him, McLean missing the wide angled conversion.

It was to prove to be the final score, although with almost the last action of the game Sam Montague, on as a replacement disappeared worryingly under advertising hoardings in bravely playing a part in stopping another home score. Fortunately to the relief of everyone after some worrying moments Cov’s winger re appeared, hopefully none the worse for the experience.

Nothing however could hide in reality what had happened before. Cov still seek a first ever league win on Exeter soil and briefly, so briefly the faithful few who made the trip to Sandy Park might have had positive thoughts. How soon that all changed.

Coventry. Ben Russell (Capt), Ronnie McLean, George Dixon, Donovan Sanders, Jack Cobden, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones, Dai Maddocks, Chris Whitehead, Rob Dugard, Gregor Gillanders, Ian Nimmo, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.
Replacements; Stuart Friswell for Whitehead, Danny Hodge for Gillanders, Jamie Miller for Clayton, Lee Parry for Russell, Sam Montague for Cobden.

Temporary replacement; Ricky Whitehall for Venter,

Not used; Tom Slater

Coventry. Tries; Myles Dorrian, George Dixon. Conversion; Ronnie McLean

Exeter. Tries; Stephen Ward 2, Gary Kingdom, Brett Sturgess, Kevin Barrett, Sam Blythe, Sean Marsden. Conversions; Kingdom 5