COVENTRY Rugby retained the Harry Walker Cup with a nine-try 61-21 victory against old rivals Birmingham Moseley.
A second-half brace from Jimmy Martin and further tries from Ryan Hutler, Chester Owen, Steff Davies, Suva Ma’asi, Tom Ball, Tom Hitchcock and Obi Nkwocha ensured Coventry made a winning start to pre-season at Butts Park Arena.
And Theo Mannion kicked seven conversions for Cov as Aquile Smith crossed twice in the first half for Moseley while Ethan Priest also dotted down a consolation try for the visitors.
Moseley scored the game’s first try as Smith ran a good support line to collect Tuoyo Egodo’s chip ahead as Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley added the extras.
However, Cov responded quickly as Hutler wriggled over from close range following Daf Tiueti’s break and offload.
The visitors reclaimed the lead when Smith sprinted 60-metres and gathered his own kick to score as Maxwell-Whiteley kicked the conversion.
Alex Rae’s side hit back again as Owen charged through a gap and over the line before Davies applied the finishing touch from David Opoku’s break and offload moments later.
The two quickfire scores sent Cov into the break with a seven-point lead as Mannion converted both tries.
And Cov picked up where they left off after the break as Martin went in under the posts, following good work from Dan Okeke, as Mannion added the extras.
The home side then pounced on an overthrow at an attacking lineout as Cov’s backs went from inside their own 22 to the Moseley line with Ma’asi touching down after Martin and Charlie Robson combined well.
Cov struck again when Ball won a race to the line and touched down before Hitchcock picked off a stray pass in midfield and raced 60-metres to the posts.
And Martin crossed for his second try soon after before Nkwocha scored Cov’s ninth and final try of the game although Moseley had the last word when Priest touched down and Ollie Rowberry converted.
