COVENTRY Rugby lost 46-14 away at Cornish Pirates as Alex Rae’s side saw their perfect start to the season come to an end.
Despite the best efforts of Liam Richman, who scored all 14 of Coventry’s points, the visitors failed to end their hoodoo at Mennaye Field.
And the result means Coventry drop to second in the Championship table, three points behind leaders Ealing Trailfinders.
The Pirates scored the game’s first try after just 12 minutes when Charlie Rice touched down and Bruce Houston kicked the conversion.
And the home side crossed again four minutes later as Will Gibson finished off a similar move and Houston again added the extras.
Cov then lost Will Lane to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock down and the Pirates made the extra man count as Matt McNab produced a fine finish to touch down.
And the Pirates scored their bonus point try on 33 minutes when McNab dotted down in the corner.
Coventry finally troubled the scoreboard on 38 minutes as Richman scored his first try for the club in the left corner and converted superbly from the touchline.
However, Martin Moloney broke a tackle and ran in from 30-metres out before Houston added the extras to put the home side back in command.
Richman scored Cov’s second try just before the hour mark, after a good break from Charlie Robson down the right wing, and produced another excellent conversion.
Houston kicked a penalty to stretch the home side’s lead before Cam Jones burst down the touchline to score the Pirates sixth try.
And Sol Moody powered over from close range following a lineout late on as Houston kicked the conversion as Cov saw their seven-game winning run come to an end.
Coventry are next in action against league leaders Ealing on Saturday, December 21 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
