A SCRAPPY and error strewn affair between two sides who should have aspirations for the title but instead are enduring difficult campaigns ended in defeat for Coventry at home to Rosslyn Park.
The Blues & Whites suffered their third defeat of the season after falling to a frustrating 13-20 defeat at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday.
For Coventry it proved to be a case off having too many kicks charged down and they took too many risks during what was a poor spectacle for both sets of supporters.
The hosts did make a strong start but a series of dominant scrums came to nothing and they were dealt a big blow on seven minutes when Matt Jones was forced to withdraw through injury.
Rosslyn then lost former Coventry player Ed Milne soon after but his replacement Hugo Ellis, who is the visitors’ leading try scorer, made an immediate impact by powering his way over the line for the first try of the match on 19 minutes. Tom Whiteley was successful with the conversion to put his side 7-0 in front.
Coventry were given a helping hand on 22 minutes when Henry Elrington was yellow carded on 22 minutes and they took full advantage by scoring a penalty try three minutes later that was converted by Ryan.
The try did come at a cost for Coventry who lost coach Scott Morgan through a serious injury and he was replaced by Jacques le Roux.
The visitors got their noses in front before the break thanks to a Matt Hawke try that was converted by Whitely, although Ryan did score a penalty to peg Rosslyn back 14-10 at the break.
After the re-start the Coventry scrum began to struggle following a series of changes although the visitors were unable to capitalise.
Ryan pulled back a penalty on 68 minutes to bring the score to 13-17 and at this point Coventry were finding a much better defence.
But eventually the Rosslyn pressure told essure told with Whiteley kicking another penalty to give Rosslyn Park a 13-20 lead.
Coventry did manage to string a series of phases together inside the Rosslyn half but they were unabel to break down a stubborn defence combined with a lack of cutting edge.
Coventry have a week to re-group with the Rugby World Cup final taking centre stage on Saturday but they return to action with a trip to Esher on November 7.