Coventry 37 Wharfedale 29: Baldwin's dismissal is decisive

But 22-0 was as good as it got, although fly-half Luke Gray grabbed a second try late in the half, adding to his seventh-minute effort, to clinch a bonus point.

Coventry, from appearing thoroughly bemused by the Dalesmen's opening surge, gradually found some form, and took an increasing degree of control in the second half.

Wharfedale could have had the result sewn up before the home side got its act together but they spurned two good chances for further tries either side of the interval.

Tom Davidson set the scoreboard moving with a trademark penalty from inside the visitors' half. Centre Andy Hodgson sent Gray on his way to the first try, No 8 Talite Vaioleti grabbed a loose ball and careered over for the second and centre Chris Malherbe scored the third, provided by lock Alastair Allen. Davidson added two conversions.

Coventry rallied and half-time was reached with the Greens 29-22 ahead. Tries for winger Tom Harris, fly-half Danny Richards and prop Martin Kent in a 15-minute spell, plus two conversions and a penalty from scrum-half Lee Audis had the home side facing the second half with renewed confidence.

Audis's penalty soon after the restart was followed by a converted try from No 8 Nick Southern and the clinching score – a try by prop Tom Warren – came when Wharfedale were minus substitute No 8 Rob Baldwin, dismissed for stamping.

In the final minute, the Dalesmen lost out on a second bonus point, Davidson uncharacteristically firing a penalty wide.