RUGBY UNION - Coventry Rugby win Matt Gallagher Cup with 10-try victory against Nottingham

Further tries from Josh Barton, Bruce Houston, Mackenzie Graham, Tom Bacon and Marcus Rhodes saw Coventry cruise to a bonus-point victory under the lights.

Nottingham scored four tries after Matty Ward, David Williams, Jay Ecclesfield and Oli Crane all touched down for the hosts.

The result means Coventry sit third in the Champ Rugby table after three matches.

The game marked the third instalment of the Matt Gallagher Cup – created in celebration of the life and legacy of Matt Gallagher who played for both clubs during his career.

Coventry made the perfect start when Nayalo powered over for his first try after just two minutes before he crossed again nine minutes later.

Nottingham responded when Ward touched down after he collected a cross-field kick before Williams scored a second try for the hosts to turn the game on its head.

The visitors went back in front on 25 minutes when Davidson crossed from a driving maul before the same player crossed again eight minutes later following sustained pressure on the Nottingham line.

Having already scored four tries, Coventry further extended their lead on 35 minutes when Barton finished off a flowing move.

And the visitors crossed for a sixth first-half try moments before the break as Houston found space to apply the finishing touch to another fluid Coventry move.

And Nayalo completed his hat-trick just four minutes into the second period after Morgan Strong broke through the Nottingham defence and offloaded the ball.

Graham scored Coventry’s eighth try on the hour mark as Houston’s conversion took the away side beyond the 50-point mark.

Nottingham responded with a try through Ecclesfield but Coventry crossed again on 72 minutes as Bacon dotted down late on.

And Rhodes completed the scoring for the visitors with a try four minutes later which Rhodes converted to finish the game with a 19-point individual haul.

Nottingham replacement Crane scored the final try of the match but Coventry produced another scintillating display on the road to claim the Matt Gallagher Cup.

Coventry are next in action against Blackheath on Friday, October 9 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Nick Newbold Stadium.

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