No 8 Gnr Senitiki Nayalo (7 Para RHA) helped Coventry defeat Nottingham 37-21 in front of a record-breaking Butts Park Arena Boxing Day crowd.
An astonishing 5,047 supporters were on hand as the hosts claimed victory in The Championship derby, a result which lifts Coventry to fourth in the table and only four points behind leaders Ealing Trailfinders.
A Jimmy Martin try put the home side in front, and after Pat Pellegrini converted his own try, the Tongan international landed a penalty before Tobi Wilson also crossed the whitewash, the extras again added.
Nottingham cut the deficit to 22-7 at the break as Ellis Mee touched down, Mike Stronge on target with the kick, but Jordan Poole sealed the bonus-point try for Cov to extend their lead.
Replacement hooker Jack Dickinson went over to keep Nottingham in the game, Morgan Bunting converting for 27-14, but a stunning Martin solo effort was added to by Pellegrini to keep Coventry in command.
Bunting converted a Scott Hall effort, but Pellegrini’s penalty took his personal haul to 17 points and secured a fine win for the hosts.
Coventry travel to Bedford Blues on New Year’s Day as they look to continue a title push.
In the Women’s Premiership 15s, Spr Lauren Brooks (RE) was in the Trailfinders squad which beat Sale Sharks 24-22 in a Friday night cracker.
The sixth-placed side are next in action at Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, January 7.
Words © Richard Ashton
Header and feature image – Alligin Photography © Army v RAF Match
