There was not much festive spirit on show at a wet and muddy Butts Park Arena as tempers frayed on several occasions, however it was Coventry who were left celebrating with a comfortable victory over an under-performing Cinderford team.
The visitors made a positive start, but when Luke Allen was shown a yellow card for late tackle the momentum of the match swung towards the home team with Heath Stevens and Mike Tibbatts crossing for tries, both of which were converted by Cliffie Hodgson.
Coventry prop Nico Steenkamp was sent to the sin-bin after an unseemly brawl and Cinderford took advantage of the extra man when hooker Tom Bozzard scored a try from a lineout catch and drive. Another yellow card saw the home team reduced to 13 men but there was no further score before half-time.
Despite their temporary numerical disadvantage it was Coventry who began the second-half strongly and Hodgson kicked a penalty before Tom Harris gathered his own kick ahead and raced in fine style from well inside his own half, with Hodgson converting. The home team claimed a try scoring bonus point when Jamie Harrop finished off an impressive surge up field and the match was all over as a contest. Cinderford did get the consolation of a penalty try in the closing stages which Mike Wilcox converted, but they finished a well beaten side.
CINDERFORD: K Done; N Codlin, J Adams, D Scourfield (Hawley, 56), L Stapleton; M Wilcox, D Pointon; J Brooks, T Bozzard (Bundy, 53), N Selway (Heard, 53); B West, D Critchley (King, 53); L Allen, W Foden, J Garner. Replacements: S Hawley, C Bundy, G Evans, E King, T Heard.