Nuneaton 32 Hull Ionians 27
Nuneaton, the only unbeaten team in the National Leagues apart from Harlequins, have opened a gap on the chasing teams after Bradford & Bingley's hefty defeat at Fylde.
Nuns ended a six-match run of wins by Hull Ionians who included at No 8 their now grey-haired coach Derek Eves, the former England A, Bristol and Coventry captain, while at prop for Nuns was veteran assistant coach Darren Garforth, the ex-England and Leicester player.
Gareth Cull missed a conversion for Nuns, succeeding with three and his two penalties, while Glenn Boyd landed three conversions and two penalties without failure, ensuriong Ionians never led.
Nuns rolled flanker Paul Rees over the line and fullback Jody Peacock touched down after a raking kick to the corner by fly-half Cull before Boyd's two penalties.
Garforth went over after prolonged driving and rolling but swift Ionian handling produced a try by left-winger Ben Smith. The half-time lead was 19-13.
Cull's first penalty soon increased that before Smith and Boyd created a 70-yard handling move, centre Adam Rice finishing off.
Peacock linked for winger Lee Parry to get Nuns' fourth try, Cull added a penalty and Smith squirmed over for Ionians.
