COVENTRY Rugby surrendered a 12-point half-time lead in a 29-19 defeat against Worcester Warriors in the club’s Champ Rugby opener.
The visitors led by 12 points at the break courtesy of tries from Senitiki Nayalo, Peter Sullivan and David Opoku-Fordjour at a sold-out Sixways Stadium.
However, Worcester drew level before the hour mark and kicked a late penalty to take a slender lead.
And the home side celebrated a dream return to professional rugby with a last-minute try to deny Coventry a losing bonus point.
The result means Coventry sit 12th in the Champ Rugby table with Alex Rae’s side one of three teams who failed to register a point on the opening weekend of the season.
A capacity crowd greeted the two teams onto the pitch with Worcester playing a competitive match at Sixways for the first time since the club entered administration in September 2022.
However, Coventry looked to spoil the party and scored the game’s first try on eight minutes when Nayalo powered over from close range after Worcester had Tim Anstee sent to the sin-bin.
Worcester responded two minutes later when Will Reed crossed in the corner following a break from Will Biggs and converted his own try.
The visitors wrestled back control of the game and reclaimed the lead on 20 minutes as Sullivan went over in the corner.
And Opoku-Fordjour crashed over five minutes later to send Coventry into the break with a 12-point advantage.
Worcester reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half when Tom Seabrook powered his way over under the posts.
And Warriors drew level four minutes later as former Coventry player Matt Kvesic drove over in the corner.
The home side took the lead with just three minutes left to play as Reed kicked a penalty to put Warriors ahead for the first time in the match.
And Worcester sealed victory with the clock in the red as Ashley Challenger emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball to secure a bonus point win for Warriors.
