Coventry beat Saxons in the derby

Coventry 22 Stourbridge Saxons 17

Coventry claimed a Midlands derby win over Stourbridge in an untidy match dominated by a strong wind.

Despite prominent individual displays from veteran forwards Jim Jenner and Liam Wordley, Stourbridge paid the price for a lacklustre first quarter, during which the hosts built a 17 point lead.

Neil Mitchell's team also squandered numerous second-half opportunities to add to tries from Peter White and Will Davis, meaning they claimed a solitary losing bonus point from their third defeat of the season.

Coventry centre Luke Myring opened the scoring with a 30 metre, third minute penalty, after Mark Woodrow's interception was called back for offside.

The wind-assisted hosts dominated the early stages and, after their forwards won quick ball under the visitors' posts, former Northampton prop Adam Parkins barged over for a converted score.

A second home seven-pointer arrived towards the end of the opening quarter when flanker Brett Daynes reacted quickest, to force his way over from a quickly-tapped free kick.

Stourbridge needed a response before the break and, after they strung some phases together, to gain a foothold in Coventry territory, Mark Woodrow slotted over a head-on penalty goal.

Woodrow's pinpoint touch-finder then gave his forwards a close-range, driving line out opportunity.

After the hosts' England Counties' flanker Alex Nash was despatched to the sin bin for killing their first attempt, an action replay left scrum-half White with the easiest of touchdowns.

With the support of the elements to come, and facing only a seven point deficit, Stourbridge seemed probable winners at the interval.

However, after missing two good scoring opportunities, the visitors soon conceded again, when giant French lock Benji Dechartres powered over for an unconverted score.

Frustratingly, the story of the second-half became one of missed Saxons opportunities, as basic errors prevented possession and territory translating into points.

Finally, a quick tap-and-go saw prop Davis barge his way over. Woodrow's well-judged kick added the extras.

It set up a grandstand finish, during which the Saxons pressed hard but a determined Coventry side hung on for their second home win of the season.