TOM Kessell’s last-minute try got Coventry RFC up and running in the RFU Championship with victory over Bedford.
The hosts pushed hard late on, and, following a sin bin for a visiting player, were able to force their way over the line for the match-winning score of 26-19.
Max Trimble got the scoring at Butts Park Arena underway when finishing off a well-worked try, from a move which initially started after Nile Dacres had won a lineout.
The lead was wiped out almost immediately when Ryan Hutler went over in the corner, moments after Phil Boulton was sin-binned.
After a promising Coventry move had broken down, Bedford went ahead for the first time through Matt Worley – who applied the afterburners to race through the home defence.
The scoring continued when Trimble levelled the scores with his second try of the afternoon, crashing over the line from James Voss’ assist.
Bedford’s Worley also found a second of the game just after the half-hour mark, albeit in controversial circumstances with the home faithful arguing the case for a forward pass in the build-up to the try.
Will Maisey levelled moments after the restart, with Rory Jennings successfully converting to ensure a perfect start to the second half.
But with both sides contributing to a gritty period of play for the majority of the half, it was clear that one chance would be enough to win the game.
Fortunately for the hosts, buoyed by a sin bin for Bedford’s Karl Garside, they found the winner.
After several scrums had broken down, an attack put through Kessell to crash over the line and win the game at the death.
Coventry are fifth after two games played on six points and visit Yorkshire Carnegie on Sunday (3pm).
