Coventry 29 Nottingham 19

The margin of victory at the end was relatively comfortable. In retrospect, though, Coventry will have known they had to work pretty hard before they achieved a third league double of the season.

Nottingham trailed 19-5 at the break, but must have been asking themselves how on earth was the margin so emphatic.

In terms of territory and possession up to that point, the East Midlanders had shaded it. Their attacking efforts, however, almost constantly failed against a solid Coventry defence.

Ultimately, they were given an object lesson in capitalising on chances created and a strong work ethos which Coventry established throughout.

For their part, the home side could feel well pleased with their five-try tally against a side with an impressive record recently.

The match began bizarrely, referee Wigglesworth allowing an emphatic colour clash, with Nottingham playing in their traditional green-and-white until common sense prevailed in the second half with the visitors changing to their alternative strip.

With a strong crossfield wind in their favour from the kickoff, Coventry took full advantage, their forwards driving skipper Richard Protherough over after three minutes for the opening try, James Moore just missing a difficult conversion.

Nottingham deservedly drew level six minutes later, when at the end of some concerted pressure, No 8 forward Nic Fitisemanu crossed, the strong wind this time defeating Mark Woodrow's attempt at a conversion.

Nottingham continued to exert pressure, the Coventry defence refusing to give an inch, before breakouts were to achieve two important tries. The final recipient on both occasion was centre Kieran Geraghty, with Moore slotting both conversions.

If anything, Coventry found playing into the elements after the break a little easier but two Nottingham tries in the third quarter, the second when Cov were reduced to 14 men for the ten-minute period after Protherough received a yellow card, brought the scores level once again.

First, centre Tim Molenaar took advantage of some rare slack home tackling to cross near to the posts and then winger Josh Kay crossed wide out, Woodrow landing both conversions.

That, however, was the last serious threat from the East Midlands side, seeking their first win on Coventry soil for 12 seasons. On 65 minutes, Coventry prop forward Peter Buck-nall charged over for his side's fourth try, with club-record tryscoring wing Kurt Johnson finally sealing success with the fifth touchdown, eight minutes into time added on.