Coventry maintained their unbeaten home league record, with a hard fought bonus point victory over Esher. Yet the 1st half saw Cov struggle to get their confidence and rhythm after last week's defeat against Moseley. Too much turnover ball and missed tackles gave the free running Esher's wingers a platform to build on.

However it was Cov who took a 5th minute lead with a Ronnie Mclean penalty from 35m, after an Lee Parry break. Just 2 minutes later Esher scored an unconverted try from Lockhart their winger following a missed tackle in the Cov backs. Cov 3 Esher 5.

Stalemate followed for 30mins with very few chances coming Cov's way, but with them defending well. On 30 mins Jamie Miller was stretched off with a leg injury and was replaced by Darren Clayton. On 37 mins an excellent mid field break by Chris Whitehead, with the ball quickly recycled by Dorrian, whose inch perfect kick to the corner allowed McLean to touch down for an unconverted try, making it Cov 8 Esher 5.

Approaching half time an smart break by Tom Slater was carried on by Laurie McGlone, resulting in a Cov penalty, duly converted by McLean, making the halftime score Coventry 11 Esher 5.

The 2nd half saw Cov start in a more positive and determined mood, after 47 mins an excellent corner kick by Dorrian, led to quick ball, a sharp break by George Dixon, onto Ben Russell, for an unconverted try, making it Cov 16 Esher 5. Esher's continued attempts to slow down the ball, finally led the Mr Roberts displeasure, and his subsequent yellow carding of 2 Esher players within 1 minute. However Cov were unable to take advantage, and indeed it was Esher who scored a penalty after 62min to make it Cov 16 Esher 8. This had the effect of shaking Cov up, by now Tommy Hayes had replaced Ben Russell, with Stewart Pearl on for Chris Whitehead. Cov were now playing were more confidence, and following good work by Mclean, Whitehall and Hayes, Lee Parry scored a well worked 65 min unconverted try in the corner, to make it Cov 21 Esher 8.

The shackles seemed to be lifted from Cov's play as they increased the pressure on an Esher side with little answer. A searing break by Lee Parry led to further pressure and an excellent break by Clayton, onto Dixon, was finished off in style by Myles Dorrian, for the bonus point try, converted by McLean making it Cov 28 Esher 8.

Another break by Dixon , followed on by McLean almost led to a another try. Yet Coventry were not to be denied and in the 5th min of injury time Lee Parry got his second try of the game, as the ball was switched through all of Cov's threes. The try was unconverted making the final score Coventry 33 Esher 8.

Overall a much better performance after Moseley, as Cov got their first bonus point of the season. Their scrummaging was formidable and the lineout went a lot better. However it was the confidence shown amongst the team especially the backs , with Slater, Dixon and Parry excelling, with some deft touches from Tommy Hayes , that proved the difference between the sides.

Teams

Coventry. Ben Russell, Lee Parry, Ollie Winter, George Dixon, Ronnie McLean, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Ricky Whitehall, Chris Whitehead, Rob Dugard, Sam Herrington, Rob Walton, Jamie Miller, Henno Venter, Laurie McGlone(capt).

replacements used. Stewart Pearl, Carl Burgess, Sam Montague, Tommy Hayes, Greg Thomas, Darren Clayton.

not used. Rudi Brits.

Esher. Neil Hallett, Dougie Flockhart, Neil Taylor, Matteo Barbini, Seb Stegmann, Seb Jewell, Ian Barnes, David Millard, Simon Goldsmith, Alex Rogers, Paul Barker, Stuart Walker, Lee Starling, Sam Stilcher, Shawn Renwick.

replacements. Joe Reid, Alex Ayling, Michael Rickner, Tom Lowes, George Lowe, Tom Parker.

Coventry tries McLean, Russell, Parry (2), Dorrian

conv McLean 1

pen goal Mclean 1

Esher try Flockhart

pen goal Hallett