NOTTINGHAM Rugby again claimed top spot in the Championship table, their 18-13 win at Coventry on Friday evening enough to take them above Exeter Chiefs.

But again it was a temporary achievement as Chiefs racked up a bonus point win at Birmingham and Solihull Bees on Saturday.

It was the third successive weekend that the Green and Whites had topped the table overnight, although of those three it was their least convincing performance.

That said, any win at Coventry has to be regarded as a bonus, as coach Glenn Delaney knows all too well.

"We know how hard it is to win there," he warned before Friday's trip.

"They are a feisty group of players, and on their own ground are a particularly tough team to beat."

And while Delaney will be satisfied that his side held on for the four points, there are a couple of areas that will concern him, particularly with some tough games coming up.

Not least of those will be an injury list that, while hardly a crisis, does put a strain on the squad. With Andy Savage and Jack Cobden ruled out of Friday's game Delaney was grateful to neighbours Leicester Tigers for the loan of young winger Andy Forsyth.

He was even more grateful when Forsyth squeezed over in the right hand corner for a try that opened up a ten-point lead.

By then Nottingham had lost full back David Jackson, prop Matt Parr and scrum half Tim Usasz with various injuries. Add to that a yellow card for Luke Sherriff and Friday's win looks all the more creditable.

Another area of concern though was Nottingham's inability to capitalise on a good opening spell. They dominated the first 20 minutes but were unable to break through, and then found themselves behind as the Coventry pack drove over from a set piece.

Three consecutive lineouts on the home 22 went to waste, while a couple of mistimed passes spoilt some otherwise good build ups.

But Greig Tonks finally set up the try they had threatened when he slipped through the defence to send Rohaan Nirmalendran clear, adding the conversion and following that up with a penalty five minutes later.

One of the more pleasing aspects of their performance was their defence at a five metre scrum on the stroke of half time following Sherriff's yellow card.

It seemed Coventry must score but an heroic effort kept them out to preserve the lead, Sherriff rejoining the action as his side swept upfield to send Forsyth in for his try.

Not conceding a point at Coventry while a man short is an achievement not to be under-estimated and Nottingham deserved their win.