COVENTRY Rugby marked their first game at the renamed Nick Newbold Stadium with a 44-24 victory against Doncaster Knights.
The home side officially renamed their Butts Park Arena home in memory of former director Nick Newbold prior to kick-off.
Newbold spent 17 years working for the club and died at the age of 62 in February last year.
And Alex Rae’s side delivered a performance to match the occasion as Coventry ran in seven tries to secure a bonus point victory.
Allan Ferrie crossed twice while Senitiki Nayalo, Tom Ball, Matt Johnson, Morgan Adderly-Jones and Api Bavadra all dotted down for the hosts.
The result means Coventry sit fourth in the Champ Rugby table, three points behind Worcester Warriors in second.
Following the renaming ceremony, a minute’s applause took place in Newbold’s memory in front of his family and friends.
And Coventry scored the game’s first try as Nayalo crashed over from close range after just five minutes and Tommy Mathews kicked the conversion.
Doncaster responded on 13 minutes when Rhys Tait forced his way over with Russell Bennett unable to add the extras.
The home side scored their second try four minutes later as Ferrie surged over to restore Coventry’s lead.
And Ferrie crossed again on 21 minutes to extend Coventry’s advantage after Bavadra produced a stunning break from deep inside his own half.
The hosts scored their bonus point try two minutes before the break as Ball powered over following a well-placed penalty kicked to the corner.
However, Doncaster reduced the deficit on 50 minutes when Ben Chapman drove over from the back of a lineout and Bennett converted.
Coventry hit back three minutes later as Johnson finished in the corner after a sharp break and offload from Josh Barton.
The tries continued to flow when Jasper McGuire dotted down on 58 minutes from another driving maul.
However, Adderly-Jones finished off a flowing move on 61 minutes before Bavadra touched down a loose ball two minutes later to take the game out of Doncaster’s reach.
The Knights scored the game’s final try on 76 minutes when Connor Edwards stretched over the line to dot down.
Coventry are next in action against London Scottish on Saturday, March 28 with kick-off at 3pm at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
