Round 3 round-up in the Championship

As the dust settles on Round 3, relive a rollercoaster weekend in The Championship with our weekly round-up.

Coventry are the only unbeaten side remaining in the Championship following their 36-17 victory at Cambridge.

Ryan Hutler’s early try got the visitors up and running, the winger successfully latching on to Liam Richman’s kick, but Arthur Lennon responded for Cambridge after a quarter of an hour.

The conversion was missed – Richman charging it down – before Jimmy Martin’s try extended Coventry’s lead to 14-5 at half time. A moment of magic from Charlie Robson, who danced over having claimed possession 60 yards from the try line, was followed by Josh Barton’s bonus point score as the advantage stretched to 28-5.

Oli Morris scored Cov’s fifth either side of tries from Ben Adams and Matty Jones for a battling Cambridge side.

Coventry head coach Alex Rae said: “It wasn’t one of our classics, we weren’t at our free-flowing best but we are very pleased with the five points. It’s nice to win ugly sometimes.

“Credit to Cambridge, they kept themselves in the battle and fought hard. To score five tries while not at our best is nice.

“Charlie (Robson) is a work in progress but he has a natural ability to beat people, he’s a pocket rocket. The more confidence he gets, the better he’ll become.”

Cambridge director of rugby Richie Williams said: “We made Coventry work really hard for that victory.

“I’m really pleased with the levels of physicality we brought but frustratingly, we made some really bad decisions and skill errors which probably cost us a bonus point. Those errors probably cost us two tries.

“But we are ahead of where we were this time last year and I’m pleased with the progress this squad is making.”

Olowofela hat-trick inspires Knights to famous win

Jordan Olowofela’s hat-trick helped Doncaster Knights to a 36-35 win at Ealing Trailfinders in a rollercoaster encounter in the capital.

Both sides were on the board inside the opening four minutes, with Rhys Tait crossing under the posts for Knights before Rayn Smid crashed over for a rapid response.

The first of four penalties from Alex Dolly edged Doncaster back in front and the lead continued to change hands, Olowofela going over for his first of the afternoon after Jordan Holgate had touched down for Trailfinders.

Francis Moore and Matt Cornish wrapped up a four-try bonus point for the hosts but there was still more to come in a frantic first half as Olowofela’s second carried Knights into a 28-26 lead at the interval.

Dan Jones and Dolly traded penalties before the Knights full-back completed his treble with nine minutes to play with the final scoring action of a pulsating clash.

Matavesi settles thriller in Blues’ favour

Joel Matavesi’s late try helped Bedford Blues prevail 35-32 in a thriller against Hartpury.

The tone was set early on as Harry Short’s early converted try for the visitors was cancelled out by Lucas Titherington, and the sides continued to trade blows as Ollie Holiday put Hartpury back in front only for Alex Day to dart over in response.

Day was at it again to level once more after Jono Benz-Salomon had burrowed over, and the away side let at the break after Robbie Smith scored at the end of the first half.

Harry Bazalgette’s penalty stretched the lead to 29-21 but it was soon a one-point game as Joe Howard bulldozed over. Bazalgette’s second penalty gave the visitors breathing space but Matavesi had the final word, finishing a sparkling move to settle a breathless game in Bedford’s favour.

Five-try Chinnor defeat Caldy

A strong first half helped Chinnor earn an impressive bonus-point win at home to Caldy, eventually triumphing 31-17.

Chinnor took an early lead through Alun Walker’s try and, though Caldy hit back with a penalty try, the hosts led 24-10 at the break following scores from Rob Hardwick, Izzy Wharton and Kieran Goss.

Ollie Wynn set up an intriguing finale, sniping over with 15 minutes to go to reduce the deficit to 24-17, but outside centre Morgan Passman settled home nerves with his late try to secure the victory.

The newly-promoted side sit second in the table after three games, with this their second victory of the campaign.

Scottish power past Pirates

A flying start helped London Scottish to their first win of the season as they overcame Cornish Pirates 26-15 at Richmond Athletic Ground.

George Hammond crossed for the opening try of the evening after 15 minutes and Bailey Ransom crossed 10 minutes later, with Alec Lloyd-Seed converting both.

Lucas Friday’s converted score stretched the advantage to 21-0 though Pirates gave themselves hope through Arthur Relton, who dotted down out wide late in the half.

Any Scottish nerves were eased by Sam Riley, who scored the hosts’ bonus point try on 50 minutes.

Scores from Harry Hocking and Dan Hiscocks reduced the deficit to 26-15 but all three Pirates tries were unconverted as they slipped to a second consecutive defeat.

Nottingham shine under Friday night lights

Nottingham made it back-to-back wins as a clinical second half display saw them overcome Ampthill 38-14 at The Bay.

The visitors took an early lead when scrum-half Declan Murphy went over for a try converted by Evan Mitchell.

Kegan Christian-Goss set up David Williams to get Nottingham on the board and the hosts opened up a 12-7 lead at the interval thanks to Charlie Myall’s first try for the club four minutes before the break, with Matthew Arden adding the extras.

Tom Manz powered over five minutes into the second half to stretch the advantage and three tries in a 10-minute spell then settled the outcome.

Harry Graham latched on to Arden’s grubber kick to seal the bonus point before the fly-half crossed himself and Williams scored his second try of the evening with a fine solo effort.

Josh Barton converted his own try late on to reduce the arrears for Ampthill, who have lost two of their opening three games.