DAF Tiueti’s last gasp try and Liam Richman’s successful conversion earned Coventry Rugby a dramatic 14-13 win against Hartpury University.
Tiueti crossed in the final seconds before Richman converted to secure a seventh successive victory for Alex Rae’s side at Butts Park Arena.
That came after Tiki Nayalo scored an early try for the home side only for Hartpury to respond with the visitors ahead from just past the half-hour mark up until Richman’s conversion at the death.
The result means Coventry sit two points clear of Ealing Trailfinders at the top of the Championship table.
Cov made the perfect start when Nayalo picked the ball up at the base of an attacking five-metre scrum and powered over the line after just five minutes as Richman converted.
However, the home side repeatedly fell foul of referee Sara Cox’s whistle which allowed Harry Bazalgette to kick an easy penalty for the visitors on the half-hour mark.
Cov then lost Nayalo to the sin-bin after he entered the breakdown illegally after the home side received a warning for repeated infringements.
And Hartpury made the most of the extra man when Aristot Benz-Salomon drove over the line from close range following a lineout as Bazalgette added the extras.
Rae’s side trailed by three points at the interval before Bazalgette kicked a penalty in the swirling winds of Storm Darragh to put the visitors further ahead.
Bazalgette missed another penalty attempt soon after as Cov piled on the pressure before Hartputy had Oliver Holliday sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle.
And the home side eventually forced Tiueti over the line close to the posts with the final play of the game as Richman’s conversion clinched a narrow victory.
Coventry are next in action against Cornish Pirates on Saturday, December 14 with kick-off at 2.30pm at The Mennaye.
