Coventry shook off a slow opening to produce a ruthless attacking display. Running in eleven tries the lads overpowered Cambridge under the lights at the Nick Newbold Stadium. With the playoffs looming, it was another important step forward.

With daylight fading, Tommy Mathews launched the game into life on a picture-perfect Coventry evening. Cambridge, still searching for their first win of the season, started brightly and earned an early penalty. Tighthead prop Wulf-Masoe made a powerful break into the Cov 22, but the move fizzled out as Coventry defended stoically.

Cambridge settled quicker, pinning Coventry in their own half. Handling errors crept into Cov’s game, but despite multiple Cambridge entries into the 22, the scoreboard remained untouched. That was until Jack Reeves lit up the contest. Collecting on halfway, he shrugged off three defenders to break clear. As Reeves tried to find a teammate Allan Ferrie reacted quickest to the loose ball to crash over for the opener-his first score since announcing his move to Newcastle Red Bulls. 7-0.

With the early rust shaken off, Coventry began to find their rhythm. Mathews picked out David Opoku-Fordjour with a superb pass on the left, and his offload created the platform for Sam Maunder to finish. 14-0.

Just after the 20th minute, a knock-on handed Cambridge field position, and momentum shifted when Jack Shine saw red for a head-on-head collision. The visitors capitalised quickly, executing a driving maul to get on the board. 14-7, it felt like game on. Yet again, the response from Cov was almost immediate. Mathews broke the line and fed Api Bavadra, who finished sharply in the corner. 21-7.

Despite the man advantage, Cambridge struggled to break through a resolute Coventry defence. However, another handling error handed them territory. After kicking to the corner off a penalty a second well-worked maul forced Aristot Benz-Salomon to the sin bin for collapsing. 21-14.

The home crowd demanded a lift-and got one just before the break. Patient phase play stretched the defence before skipper Morgan Strong spotted the gap and surged over. Coventry went into half-time 28-14 up, despite an inconsistent opening 40 and ending the half with just 13 men on the pitch. The second half proved to be a different story entirely. Coventry came out with intent, pinning Cambridge back and moving the ball with confidence. Bavadra powered through three defenders for his second taking them with him over the line for good measure. 35-14.

Moments later, he broke again from deep, sparking another attack that ended with Jack Reeves crossing for a simple finish. With Cambridge tiring, Coventry’s attacking game opened up. A dominant maul brought the next score before Senitiki Nayalo powered over for the eighth try after slick handling through multiple phases. 56-14. The offloading game was now in full flow. Ferrie grabbed his second after being released into space, brushing aside defenders with ease. 63-14.

The result was far from in doubt, but the home team showed no let-up. A Mathews penalty set up another attacking platform, and Reeves struck again with a sharp finish. Before the end, Strong added his second from a well-executed maul to round things off. Full-time: 77-14.

A slow start gave way to a clinical, free-flowing second-half performance as Coventry underlined their attacking quality. It was certainly a productive night under the lights for Cov who now enjoy a week’s rest before an all-important trip to Cornish Pirates and the season ender at home to Worcester. We hope you have a nice week off and look forward to seeing as many of you down in Penzance as possible!

Man of the match: In the least surprising news of the night Api Bavadra collects another man of the match award. The former 7s player was at the centre of so much good for Coventry tonight. His strong carrying, particularly observed in his second try, consistently gained yardage for Cov.

Attendance: 2138 Referee: Charlie Gayther Goal kicking Tommy Mathews- 11/11 Tom Threlfall- 1/1

Try Scorers: Coventry Rugby- Allan Ferrie (14’, 62’), Sam Maunder (18’), Api Bavadra (29’, 45’), Jack Reeves (47’, 71’), Dan Green (50’), Senitiki Nayalo (57’), Morgan Strong (40, 80’)

Cambridge Rugby- John Stewart (25’), penalty try (37’)

Line-ups: Coventry Rugby- Aristot Benz-Salomon, Murray Davidson, Eliot Salt, Jack Shine, Senitiki Nayalo, Dan Green, Allan Ferrie, Morgan Strong (C), Sam Maunder, Tommy Mathews, Jack Reeves, Api Bavadra, Oli Morris, David Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Bacon Finishers: Jordon Poole, Keston Lines, Matt Johnson, Mackenzie Graham, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Josh Barton, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti Cambridge Rugby- Jake Ellwood, John Stewart, Paul Wulf-Masoe, Jake McCay, Gareth Baxter, Rhys Fulford, Dan Eckersley, Ben Adams (C), Ruaridh Dawson, Tom Threlfall, Eli Caven, Taitusi Qaniuci, Levi Reweti, Kesena Izu, Ben Currie Finishers: Jack Doorey-Palmer, Tabuna Maka, Francois Rossouw, Charlie Friend, Arthur Thomas, Charlie Bemand, Ethan Thorne, Sam Johnson headline