THE SECOND highest attendance of the season at the Butts Park Arena saw Coventry secure their fifth consecutive win in National League One.
A crowd of 1,354 witnessed a pulsating 33-31 victory over Esher which pushes Scott Morgan’s side back into the top four and leaves the visitors still searching for their first ever win at the BPA.
Withthree minutes left, the Surrey-based club could have been excused for believing that unwanted record was about to end after former Coventry winger Spencer Sutherland claimed their fifth try of the match which was converted to put the visitors in front.
But moments later Matt Jones coolly slotted home what proved to be the winning penalty to earn Coventry their seventh win of the season.
The first half had proved to be a fairly uninspiring affair with both sides becoming frustrated by lengthy stoppages.
Coventry broke the deadlock on 14 minutes when a quickly taken penalty by Wayne Evans set up Dom Lespierre to cross wide out on the right and Cliffie Hodgson converting superbly.
Hodgson landed a penalty on 26 minutes to extend the lead further before Ollie Richards scored Esher’s first try of the match before the break but the conversion was missed.
Early signs in the second period looked good for Coventry within the space of four minutes they opened up a 17-point lead.
First flanker Gareth Turner ploughed over with Hodgson converting and with the Esher defence in trouble, Dom Lespierre was set free on the right for his second try but this time the conversion was missed.
Into the last quarter Esher were in no mood to cave in and three tries in 11 minutes from scrum half Robbie Shaw, Harrison Collins and Micky Wilson pulled the visitors back onto the match with Ali Chisholm converting twice.
Coventry responded to keep their noses in front thanks to a superb run from Will Hurrell whose run took the ball in close before Dom Lespierre claimed his hat-trick and tenth try of the season.
The angle defeated Hodgson but minutes later Matt Jones scored a penalty to put the hosts 30-24 ahead.
There was still time for more action however with Sutherlan scoring late on and Chisholm’s conversion put Esher one point in front.
But Coventry showed spirit to fight back and Jones slotted home the winning penalty right on the full-time whistle to the joy of the home support.
Up next for Coventry this Saturday is a trip to Hartpury College in the league.
