COVENTRY Rugby failed to end their miserable run against Cornish Pirates after suffering a 21-14 home defeat.
Alex Rae’s side recovered from a 14-point deficit courtesy of tries from Ryan Hutler and Dan Green either side of half time at Butts Park Arena.
However, Jack Forsythe’s try just before the hour mark proved the difference between the two teams as Coventry suffered a third successive defeat.
And the result means Coventry sit fourth in the Championship table and have now lost each of their last three fixtures against the Pirates.
The visitors scored the game’s first try on 15 minutes when Matt McNab bounced off a tackle and passed to fellow winger Arthur Relton who dotted down as Bruce Houston kicked the extras.
And the Pirates struck again on 35 minutes as Matt Pritchard powered over from a rolling maul and Houston converted after the latter failed to find the posts with two penalty attempts.
However, Coventry responded three minutes later when Hutler collected Tommy Mathews’ chip ahead and dotted down his 10th try of the season before the latter kicked the extras.
And the home side drew level nine minutes after half time as Green received Oli Morris’s pass and smashed through the Pirates line to score with Mathews again converting.
However, the visitors reclaimed the lead on 58 minutes when Forsythe forced his way over following a lineout and Houston converted.
The home side pushed for a third try in the remaining quarter of the game but the Pirates held firm.
Coventry are next in action against Doncaster Knights on Saturday, May 10 with kick-off at 2.30pm at Castle Park.
