Otley were hit by the late withdrawal of Simon Binns while Rob Whatmuff and Duncan Sayers were still ruled out with injury and Brendon Back has had to make a short return to New Zealand.

Although troubled by injuries, Coventry have a long list of reserves to call upon with National One experience and soon showed their intent when centre Ed Binham found a gap before slipping an inside pass to winger Sam Montague who had a clear run to the line. Ben Russell converted and Coventry led 7-0.

Russell soon added two penalties. Danny Smith was penalised for not releasing the ball after being caught in possession following a kick. His second came when, after having signalled a penalty advantage to Otley and letting play continue, the referee blew for a scrum further back in Otley territory. When queried by Dan Hyde as to the curious interpretation of the advantage law, the referee rubbed salt into the wound by awarding Coventry a penalty under the posts.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half Otley repelled Coventry's advances but two kickable penalty chances were not converted which would have reduced the half-time deficit.

Otley introduced skipper Ian Shuttleworth at half-time and he immediately brought the backline into the game. Indeed, every time the ball was moved into space the ponderous Coventry side looked vulnerable to Otley's more agile three-quarters.

Unfortunately Monks could not add a third kickable penalty and Coventry were let off the hook once again. Replacement scrum-half Andy Brown assumed kicking duties after 50 minutes and he registered Otley's only points after 55 minutes.

Soon after Maifea Maifea released Steve Parsons who ran 40 metres down the right wing but flanker Matt Stockdale was unable to hold onto the pass inside which drew the full-back.

In the closing stages, Coventry made a rare second-half visit to the Otley 22 and were awarded a Penalty Try by the referee which Russell converted to make it 20-3.

The referee then made a better decision when he blew for full-time.

Coventry: Dorrian, K Johnson, Binham, Clayton, Montague, Russell, James, Davies, Friswell, Brits, Nimmo, Tonkin, T Johnson, J O'Connor, W Johnson

Otley: Smith (Pike 70); Parsons, Dench, Mooney, Andre (Shuttleworth 40); Monks (Kitching 65), Chivers (Brown 50); Livesey, Steele (Allewell 70), Fear (Turner 40); Williams, Whitehead (Stockdale 52); Tiffany, Hyde, Maifea

MATCH STATISTICS

Coventry 20

Tries: Montague, Penalty Try

Cons: Russell (2)

Pens: Russell (2)

Otley 3

Pens: Brown

Oscar's Gamestar: Maifea Maifea

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