COVENTRY Rugby salvaged two bonus points in a 31-24 defeat away at Hartpury University after failing to score a point in the first half of the fixture.
Hartpury took a 28-point lead early in the second half only for Coventry to produce a stirring second-half fightback at the 4ED Stadium.
Tries from Tommy Mathews, Jimmy Martin, Oli Morris and Sam Maunder in a 13-minute spell earned Cov a try-bonus point and losing bonus point.
The result means Coventry sit fourth in the Championship table, three points behind Bedford Blues who sit second in the standings.
Alex Rae’s side made the worst possible start as Hartpury turned the ball over close to the Coventry line and James Short burrowed over after just three minutes.
And the referee awarded Hartpury a penalty try on 19 minutes with Rhys Anstey sent to the sin-bin for illegally pulling down the maul.
Hartpury stretched their lead two minutes before half time when Sam Lewis charged down Josh Barton’s kick before retrieving the loose ball and crashing over the line.
And the home side went 28 points ahead two minutes after half time as Liam Richman threw a pass into the hands of Mike Austin who scored Hartpury’s bonus point try.
However, Coventry finally troubled the scoreboard on 49 minutes when Mathews barged his way over before converting his own try.
And the visitors crossed again two minutes later as Martin dotted down in the corner after good work from Martin down the left.
A penalty from Harry Bazalgette failed to halt Cov’s momentum as Morris crossed out wide from Tom Hitchcock’s assist.
And Cov scored their bonus point try on 62 minutes when Maunder touched down as Mathews kicked the extras to close the gap to just seven points.
Bazalgette hit the post with a penalty later in the half before Cov though they had scored a late try only for the referee to rule out Suva Ma’asi’s score for a forward pass in the build-up.
Coventry host Cornish Pirates on Saturday, May 3 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
