COVENTRY Rugby produced a strong second-half performance to beat Ampthill 35-17 as Alex Rae’s side secured a fifth straight victory.

An early try from Tom Ball proved Coventry’s only score of the first half as Harrison Dakin crossed twice for the visitors to leave Rae’s side five points behind at the interval.

However, second-half tries from Jonny Benz-Salomon, Morgan Strong and Murray Davidson put the home side in command at the Nick Newbold Stadium.

Joe Browning scored Ampthill’s third try only for Senitiki Nayalo to complete the scoring for Coventry in the game’s final moments as Bruce Houston stayed perfect from the kicking tee.

The result means Coventry sit third in the Champ Rugby table, five points behind leaders Worcester Warriors.

Rae’s side made the perfect start as Ball dotted down with the game three minutes old and Houston added the extras.

However, Dakin responded for Ampthill on 16 minutes and touched down again one minutes before half time to stun the hosts.

Finn Keylock convered one of Dakin’s two tries to send the visitors into the break with a five-goal advantage.

But Coventry hit back seven minutes after half time as Benz-Salomon made an immediate impact from the bench and Houston converted.

The home side crossed for a third try on 55 minutes when Strong touched down before Davidson scored Coventry’s fourth try 10 minutes later.

Houston converted both tries but Amptill kept themselves in the contest when Browning dotted down on 68 minutes.

However, Nayalo powered over on 79 minutes to score the game’s final try as Houston added the extras to kick a fifth conversion from as many attempts.

Coventry are next in action against Caldy on Saturday, November 7 with kick-off at 1pm at Paton Field.