IT PROVED to be a classic game of two halves at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday as Coventry came from behind at half time to beat Hull Ionians 26-19 in National League One.
Hull looked on target to claim their first ever win in Coventry when they led 15-5 at the break, but Scott Morgan’s side upped their levels in the second period to claim five much-needed points.
The visitors had the cold wind in their favour in the first half and soon showed they meant business when, after a series of early assualts, they went in front on nine minutes with hooker Johnson crossing and Ferguson able to convert.
Coventry’s Andy Brown was yellow-carded before on 19 minutes a long midfield pass was intercepted by Allott who steamed away unopposed and Ferguson added the extras to put the visitors 14-0 ahead.
With Brown back Coventry responded with the first meaningful attack shortly after the half-hour mark.
George Oliver made a typical surge into Ionians territory before the ball was moved out right for Scott Hamilton, who then fed George Worth for his maiden try for the club, although the strong wind just defeated Cliffie Hodgson.
With the hosts 14-5 down at the break, Coventry came out fighting and looked a completely different side.
Early pressure saw Oliver surge over for try number two, which Hodgson this time converted to bring the deficit to just two points.
But within seconds the hosts conceded a third try. A poor take from the kick off led to a subsequent penalty close in and from the scrum Thomas scored an unconverted try.
From there though Coventry took control and by the 47th minute they were level. Excellent multi-handling on a totally different plane to what had gone earlier saw skipper Wayne Evans finish off in style, with Hodgson converting for 19-19.
Hodgson then went on to score a try himself shortly before the hour mark after some strong build-up play allowed him to seal the bonus point try which he duly converted.
Devlin Hope was yellow-carded late on before Wayne Evans came close with a bursting run and at the other end right at the death a dangerous Ionians move was halted and the hosts secured five vital league points.