COVENTRY completed a double over struggling Henley Hawks in National League One and in doing so recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in 2016.
The visitors eased to a comfortable victory in which they scored six tries and all but ended any hopes of Henley’s chances of surviving in the third tier at the first time of asking.
Early action saw penalties traded but the hosts had their noses in front at 6-3 with ten minutes gone before on 17 minutes Coventry moved in front with a textbook try.
A fine pass by scrum half George Tresidder saw Matt Jones fly through a big gap without a hand being laid on him and Caolan Ryan added the extra points from the conversion.
Some more forward pressure then saw the visitors extend their lead to 17-6 when Ryan Hough finished off a move and again Ryan was on target with the conversion shortly before the half-hour mark.
Within two minutes Rob Knox sealed try number three after a big Sam Pailor break but this time the wide angle just defeated Ryan’s conversion attempt.
Despite their perilous league position, Henley refused to give up and some solid pressure and an excellent final pass allowed centre Simon Perry to cross, with Ben Palmer reducing the deficit to nine points.
Henley’s Randall was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on but the scoreline remained 13-22 at the break.
On 44 minutes Devlin Hope received yellow for not retreating, which allowed flanker Connor Morrison to score Henley’s second try and Palmer converted for 20-22.
The hosts then shot themselves in the foot by losing possession which allowed Ryan Hough to run in from 75 metres and score a superb breakaway try which Ryan converted for 20-29.
Within three minutes, another clean Matt Jones break saw George Oliver steam in from 50 metres as Coventry scored two tries despite being a man short.
Henley hit back again with Morrison claiming his second try and Palmer once more converted but with Coventry back to full numbers the Butts Park Arena men began to make progress.
On 74 minutes Coventry pulled away again when replacement Peter Weightman crossed for a sixth try.
There was still time for tempers to fray with Coventry’s Ben Thomas being singled out for a yellow card after a fracas on half way, but it was all too late to have any consequence on events.
Five important points keeps Coventry tenth in the league ahead of this weekend’s home clash against in-form Darlington Mowden Park.