Understandably at the end of a very hard fought Midlands derby, there was disappointment that Coventry’s overall efforts had not given them a share of the final spoils.

On balance whilst possibly Nottingham just about deserved their win, equally had the score line been level nobody could really have complained. The East Midlanders certainly managed to gain and retain larger quantities of possession, that said their rather one dimensional approach, although well carried out, was a little mystifying at times given the quality of some of their backs running when allowed that freedom.

Coventry for their part can feel pleased with their efforts, the third week in succession they had come up against a top three side. Unfortunately another yellow card was to prove costly, Nottingham scoring 12 points whilst Chris Whitehead was away, and although the line out did not function as well as one would have hoped, there could be no criticism of the way the side battled even if one of two first up tackles were missed. With ball in had as well Cov looked very potent, it was a pity possession did not become more plentiful as clearly that could have given the Blue and Whites an edge.

Early on with both sides committing errors it was Coventry who firstly came so close, the elusive Tom Slater bursting clear from a line out only to be held a metre short. Noittingham on 15 minutes began to exert pressure, a number of catch and drives being held before on 20 minutes referee Hall adjudged Cov had pulled down a scrum deliberately in awarding a penalty try converting by centre Smith.

It did not take long however for the scores to be levelled. Three minutes later good approach running by George Dixon saw Myles Dorrian scythe through brilliantly for  his 7th try of the season, Ronnie McLean converting with ease.

The Whitehead yellow carding followed five minutes later as Coventry defended under their posts, Nottingham subsequently taking advantage although not before Cov had defended valiantly with 14 men. After the powerful Molenaar had lost the ball over the line, first Sherriff after a catch and drive and then winger Dodge after at last a flowing move from the visitors scored tries, Smith converting the latter.

Restored to fifteen Coventry did however pull back a try before the break. On 38 minutes good work by the forwards saw prop Dai Maddocks come up with the ball, Mc Lean’s conversion cutting the margin to 14 –19.

Four minutes into the second half a high tackle on Tom Slater saw McLean just miss a penalty from 38 metres, before on 50 minutes a brawl broke out from which Nottingham lock Morley was very lucky not to receive red following a clear punch apparently unsighted however by the officials. Slater at this point departed with a damaged ankle Nathan Jones replacing him as poor line out work continued to hamper home efforts to keep pressure on.

After 56 minutes Cov did put an attack together before being held on the visiting ‘22’’, before three minutes later a slick move lead to the Blue and Whites going in front. From a quickly taken tap penalty by Nathan Jones, Laurie McGlone made ground the ball being fed right for Donovan Sanders to power over, Ronnie McLean’s conversion putting Cov in front for the only time in the game.

It was a lead which was to last seven minutes, the elusive Molenaar powering over for a bonus point clinching try for the visitors, Smith missing an easy conversion.

Mc Lean then levelled matters after 69 minutes with a penalty before another superb Dorrian surge caused panic in the Nottingham defence, the move being stopped close to the visitors line at the expense of a yellow card for flanker Sherriff for killing the ball. Unfortunately on 78 minutes Mc Lean could not capitalise from the resulting penalty award  which drifted just wide, a miss Cov were to rue three minutes into nine added on as Smith landed an easy penalty from in front of the home posts.

In many ways a heartening home performance at the end of a hard season both on and off the field, although a final finish of 9th was just a little disappointing after the efforts put in particularly post Christmas with just a bonus point gleaned from this defeat.

Coventry. Ben Russell (Capt), Ronnie McLean, George Dixon, Donovan Sanders, Lee Parry, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Dai Maddocks, Chris Whitehead, Rob Dugard, Gregor Gillanders, Ian Nimmo, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Stuart Friswell for Whitehead, Jamie Miller for Clayton, Nathan Jones for Slater, Sam Montague for Sanders, Hendry Rheeders for McGlone.

Temporary replacement; Richard Protherough for Whitehead (yellow card).

Not used; Danny Hodge

Coventry. Tries; Myles Dorrian, Dai Maddocks, Donovan Sanders. Conversions; Ronnie McLean 3. Penalty goal; McLean

Nottingham; Tries; Penalty try, Luke Sherriff, Alex Dodge, Tim Molenaar. Conversions; Matt Smith 2. Penalty goal; Smith

Coventry players player of  season; Chris Whitehead

Supporters player of season; Laurie McGlone