COVENRTY RFC produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat defending champions and league leaders Ealing Trailfinders 22-19 in an absorbing contest.
The visitors trailed by 11 points at the break only for two tries from Rhys Thomas and another score from Lucas Titherington to turn the game on its head with Patrick Pellegrini adding seven points from the kicking tee at Trailfinders Sports Club.
And the result means Coventry sit third in the RFU Championship table, 15 points behind Ealing with a game in hand.
Coventry made a good start when Pellegrini kicked a penalty inside the opening two minutes after Adam Peters drew an infringement from the home side at a lineout.
However, Ealing showed their class to score the game’s first try as Carlo Tizzano barreled over the line on eight minutes after a quick tap and go penalty with Craig Willis adding the extras.
And Tizzano scored his second try on 23 minutes as the flanker finished from close range following a drive at the lineout and Willis kicked the conversion to send Ealing into the break with a 14-3 lead.
Coventry responded with their first try on 47 minutes as Thomas crashed over after the forward pack gained some hard-earned yards with Pellegrini adding the extras.
And the turnaround was complete when Thomas touched down again on 56 minutes from a powerful driving maul after a huge scrum earned Coventry a penalty which was kicked to the corner.
Coventry were handed a boost just past the hour mark when Ealing’s Bobby de Wee was sent off for a head-on-head collision.
And Alex Rae’s side made the most of the man advantage on 68 minutes as Titherington raced clear to score from a superb inside pop pass as Pellegrini’s conversion put two scores between the two teams.
Ealing clawed their way back into the game on 78 minutes when Luke Daniels dotted down in the corner but it proved too little, too late, as Coventry held on to secure a remarkable win and inflict a first home defeat on Trailfinders this season.
Coventry are next in action at home to Doncaster Knights on Saturday, February 4 in the Championship Cup with kick-off at 2.30pm at Butts Park Arena.
