COVENTRY RFC all but secured a third-place finish with an impressive 45-21 win away at Ampthill which would mark the club’s highest finish since their promotion to the Championship in 2017/18.
James Martin and George Smith both crossed for two tries apiece as Will Rigg, Suva Ma’asi and Will Lane all touched down in a seven-try victory at Dillingham Park.
The result means Coventry remain third in the RFU Championship table and are 13 points clear of Bedford Blues in fourth with three matches left to play.
Coventry had the game wrapped up inside 10 minutes as Alex Rae’s side scored three unanswered tries to leave Ampthill stunned in a remarkable start to the game.
Rigg crossed for the game’s first try in the corner on three minutes before Martin dotted down on seven minutes as Coventry went the length of the pitch to score with Evan Mitchell converting both tries.
And Smith was next to touch down on nine minutes after he produced a superb dummy and raced to the line as Mitchell added the extras.
However, Ampthill responded on 12 minutes when Ben Harris sped away from the Coventry defence after he picked up a loose ball in midfield and Thomas Hardwick converted.
The visitors scored their bonus point try on 15 minutes when Ma’asi finished off a well-worked driving maul as Mitchell stayed perfect from the kicking tee.
Ampthill kept themselves in the contest with their second try on 25 minutes as Cai Devine crashed over following a pick and go and Hardwick converted.
Coventry stretched their lead just before half time as Smith scored his second try of the game off the back of another driving maul.
And Ampthill refused to go away in the second period when Lewis Finlay touched down from close range on 54 minutes and Joshua Bragman kicked the extras.
However, Coventry put the game to bed on the hour mark when Martin dotted down his second try of the match after he sprinted away from his man to score.
And the visitors completed the scoring on 68 minutes when Lane gathered the ball at a turnover and ran in to score as Mitchell kicked his fifth conversion to put the seal on a fine victory.
Coventry are next in action away at Richmond on Saturday, April 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Richmond Athletic Ground.
