COVENTRY Rugby surrendered a narrow half-time lead in a valiant 31-13 defeat away at league leaders Ealing Trailfinders.
James Martin’s try and Pat Pellegrini’s conversion put Coventry into a one-point lead at the break at Trailfinders Sports Club.
However, the home side showed their class to run in three second-half tries with Will Rigg touching down for Coventry late on.
The result means Coventry sit seventh in the Championship table.
Ealing scored the game’s first try on 17 minutes as Tom Collins slid in to dot down and Craig Willis kicked the extras.
However, Coventry responded with a try of their own three minutes later as Martin touched down from Pellegrini’s excellent kick through.
And Pellegrini kicked a penalty from 35-metres out shortly before half time to send Coventry into the break with a slender lead.
However, two tries in the space of four second-half minutes put Ealing in command as Will Goodrick-Clarke and Reuben Bird-Tulloch both crossed for converted tries.
And Willis kicked a penalty to stretch the home side’s advantage before Namibia international Richard Hardwick scored Ealing’s bonus point try with eight minutes left to play.
Alex Rae’s side had the last laugh when Rigg intercepted a pass inside his own half and sprinted 60-metres to score in the final couple of minutes.
Coventry are next in action at home to Hartpury University on Saturday, December 2 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
