INJURY-HIT Coventry Development conceded a late try to go down 26-19 at Jersey Athletic in the Zoo Sports Shield.
Cov started brightly and took an early 12-0 lead through a Tom Price try and a penalty try, from a five-metre scrum, before injuries to Louis Roach (hamstring), Cameron Gray (bicep) and Brendan Burke (knee ligaments) took a toll.
With other Cov players also carrying knocks, Jersey clawed their way back to level at 19-19 with 15 minutes to go, Ben Palmer claiming Cov’s third try and Max Titchener converting, before going in for the winning score from a stolen line-out.
“It was a tough, long day, but the boys showed a lot of character,” said head of Development Academy Matt Price.