COVENTRY Rugby were given a pasting by RFU Championship leaders Newcastle Falcons in a 46-7 loss at Kingston Park.
The defeat was the visitors’ second of the season so far, in a match in which the Falcons put on a finishing masterclass for their Midlands counterparts.
Rory Jennings, as ever, appeared to be the main source of inspiration for Coventry if they were to produce a shock on Tyneside, with the visitors going behind to Joel Hodgson’s 12th-minute penalty.
Sinoti Sinoti played in Adam Radwan for Newcastle’s first score, followed by George McGuigan’s try following a penalty kicked deep into Coventry’s half.
The scoreline was extended to 25-0 three minutes after the restart when Gary Graham took full advantage of Tom Kessell’s sin-binning to add another try.
A second followed for McGuigan seven minutes later to earn a bonus points for the hosts, followed by Josh Matavesi’s score.
Coventry were unable to muster a sustained response to Newcastle’s dominance, kicking a number of penalties to the corner and often having the ball overturned or cleared.
But their resolve eventually came good, as Pete White crossed the whitewash for a try converted by Jennings to finally register on the scoreboard.
The Falcons had the last say through Gareth Owen, rubbing further salt into an already gaping wound for the visitors.
Coventry are fifth and are next in league action on Saturday, December 21, when they host Nottingham, who are a place behind.
