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YESTERDAY’S bonus-point win over Plymouth Albion was exactly what Coventry needed in the eyes of director of rugby, Rowland Winter.

A strong all-round team display saw Cov emerge with a 29-14 victory over their title rivals to end the day with an 11-point cushion at the top of National League One going into a potentially defining month in their season.

“Beforehand I would have taken a bonus point win and Plymouth gong away with nothing – it’s really important in terms of where we are in the league table,” said Winter.

“I think in the last two games against Caldy and Old Elthamians we’d been a bit rusty, and today up until 60, 70 minutes pretty much on every visit to their 22 we came up with a try or a penalty, and that shows our efficiency is increasing.

“We were better in terms of our execution, and in the last 20 minutes I think we could have put another couple of tries on the board and might have been a little more clear if a few more calls had gone our way.

“I’m very pleased – I think the boys put in a big shift but actually didn’t ever really get going properly. We didn’t get into our full stride, so to still beat Plymouth with a bonus point is very satisfying.

“Technically Plymouth are a very good side and when we gave them an opportunity they came back into the game, but fortunately we didn’t really give them too many of those opportunities.”

Added Winter: “We’ve had some injuries which have tested or strength and resilience, and the boys have done really well, but Plymouth were missing two or three boys as well and when you’re 12 games into a season you’re going to be short of players in certain positions.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming back some players and to getting stronger each week as we go up to Christmas.”