RUGBY UNION - Coventry Rugby hold off Blackheath fightback to claim third straight win

However, after Tom Hughes and Iwan Price-Thomas crossed for the visitors in the first half, quickfire tries from Archie Holland and Jordan Burns after the break kept the visitors in the contest.

A penalty from Bruce Houston kept Coventry two scores ahead only for Josh Smart’s late try to set up a grandstand finish as the home side withstood late pressure to claim a third straight win.

The result means Coventry sit third in the Champ Rugby table, five points behind league leaders Worcester Warriors.

However, Coventry responded straight from the restart when Ball crossed and Houston’s conversion brought the scores level.

The away side reclaimed the lead when Morley kicked a penalty but Reeves scored Coventry’s second try on nine minutes to turn the game on its head as Houston added the extras.

Blackheath took the lead for a third time on 18 minutes as Price-Thomas crossed following sustained pressure on the Coventry line.

The lead changed hands again on 22 minutes when Hunt finished from close range and Houston remained perfect from the kicking tee.

Coventry took command of the game five minutes before half time as Barton crossed following a spell of pressure and Houston again converted.

And the home side took a 20-point lead into the break when Hunt dotted down his second try of the game on the stroke of half time and Houston added the extras.

However, Blackheath responded on 52 minutes as Holland touched down following patient play close to the line and Morley converted.

And the visitors struck again just two minutes later when Burns broke through to score and Morley added the extras to reduce the deficit between the teams to six points.

Coventry kicked a vital penalty on 69 minutes as Houston took his individual tally to 13 points with an effort from 52 metres out.

With the home side now nine points in front, Blackheath set up a nervy finish as Smart crossed and Morley converted two minutes from time with the gap down to two points.

Blackheath threatened to snatch the points at the death but Coventry survived a late driving maul to seal a four-point win.

Coventry are next in action against Doncaster Knights on Saturday, October 17 with kick-off at 3pm at Castle Park.

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