JIMMY Martin scored a hat-trick as Coventry Rugby beat England under-20’s 54-38 in their 150th anniversary celebration match.
Coventry brought the curtain down on their season with an entertaining victory, scoring eight tries to England’s six at Butts Park Arena.
The home side took the lead when Martin finished off a flowing move as Pellegrini’s successful conversion moved the Tongan past the 200 points mark for the season.
And Pellegrini then set up captain Jordon Poole for Cov’s second try with a neat step and offload before retirement-bound Will Chudley sent Martin over for his second try from inside his own half.
Cov added to their lead when David Opoku dotted down before Chester Owen claimed his first senior try following a strong carry and offload from Matt Kvesic.
Pellegrini stayed perfect from the kicking tee to send Cov into the break with a commanding 35-point lead.
And Alex Rae’s side struck again at the start of the second half when Chudley’s final act as a professional rugby player created his team’s sixth score for Ryan Hutler while Theo Mannion added the extras.
England finally troubled the scoreboard when they shunted Arthur Green over the line which Northampton fly-half George Makepeace-Cubitt converted.
And the visitors crossed again when Angus Hall produced an impressive finish only for Will Wand to send Owen charging over for his second try at the other end.
England replacement Connor Byrne then scored a fine solo try from 60-metres out before Malelili Satala touched down to further reduce the deficit with both scores converted by Ben Coen.
Coventry lost both Obi Nkwocha and Suva Ma’asi to the sin-bin within seconds with England also awarded a penalty try for the replacement hooker’s maul collapse.
However, Martin completed his hat-trick in the closing stages with a neat kick and chase which Mannion converted.
England scored right on full time as Hall crossed for his second try as the 4,109 strong crowd stayed after the final whistle as Chudley took home a framed shirt following his retirement.
