Coventry Rugby Club, whose players and staff are working without pay, were beaten 45-11 at Exeter on Saturday afternoon.
Exeter paid the travel costs to ensure the match at Sandy Park went ahead but there was little for the Coventry fans to cheers as Exeter lead 18-6 at the break.
Grove had scored two penalties for Coventry who added to their tally with a try by Lewis in the second half
For Exeter, try scorers were Thomas, Dollman (penalty, Budgen, Foster and Nelson with Gray kicking three penalties and three conversions as they ran out 45-11 winners.
Other Championship scores were Bedford 16-19 Plymouth, Birmingham & Solihull 6-29 London Welsh and Rotherham 0-15 Bristol
On Friday night, Coventry take on the Cornish Pirates at the Butts Park Arena. Kick off is at 7.45pm.