Nottingham Rugby’s poor run in the Championship Cup continued on Saturday 24 November when they were beaten 45-35 by Coventry at Butts Park Arena.

A total of 12 tries were scored in a frantic match that Nottingham struggled to get a hold of, despite a brilliant comeback from the Green and Whites in the first half.

Coventry came out the blocks firing on all cylinders, scoring three tries in the first 20 minutes, stunning Neil Fowkes’ youthful side that featured three loan players and five of the club’s NTU contingent.

William Maisey’s three conversions gave the hosts a commanding 21-0 lead and Nottingham’s poor cup form looked to haunt them once more.

But the Green and Whites fought their way back into the game as the half continued. Jake Farnworth and Luke Peters inspired a Nottingham comeback with two tries in ten minutes. Veenendaal, playing at 10, converted to bring the score to 21-14.

However, Coventry reasserted their dominance when Maxwell Trimble scored a try on the 36th minute. The conversion was missed and a high-scoring half looked to be coming to an end.

But Jake Farnworth scored his second try of the match minutes later to bring the Green and Whites within five points of the hosts thanks to Veenendaal’s conversion.

The frantic first half ended 26-21.

Nottingham carried their momentum into the second half when Alex Goble scored a try two minutes after kick off. Veenendaal’s conversion was good and put Nottingham in the lead for the first time of the afternoon.

The Green and Whites’ two-point lead was short-lived when Coventry scored a try on the 53rd minute. The conversion was good and the hosts once again were in the ascendency.

Nottingham did not go down without a fight though. Tim Cardall scored Nottingham’s fifth try to put the travelling side in the lead once more. With the score at 33-35, it was all to play for in the final 20 minutes.

A scrappy ending to the match saw the hosts make the most of the final 15 minutes. Scoring two tries and a conversion, Coventry held a 45-35 lead over Nottingham as the game came to an end.

Nottingham will hope that their run of three defeats in the Championship Cup will come to an end when they face Coventry at home on Friday 30 November.

Advanced tickets for the match can be purchased via the club’s ticketing website here.