Bears v Hornets Match Preview

Bears look to tough Hornets test

Kingstone Press League One, Round 5, Match Preview.

Coventry Bears v Rochdale Hornets, Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, 3pm Kick off.

The Bears take on Rochdale Hornets this Sunday in what is sure to be a very tough test. It has been a solid start to the season at home with two good wins but two losses against traditional clubs with heavy defeats has not been good and the team will look to have a better performance this Sunday while hoping to keep good home form.

Bears Head coach Tom Tsang spoke this week of his expectations;

“Our away record, while potentially worrying, is of our own doing and is something in our control to change - in both our losses, it has been our own mistakes - be it from poor kicks, unfortunately timed penalties or just simple individual unforced errors - that have handed our opponents easy field position and possession. And at this level of competition, those errors will be punished more often than not. 

With every game we play we are learning lessons and so far the most valuable one - that a build-up of tiny errors can have a massive impact on the result of a game - is what we need to concentrate on the most. I am confident though that we have a very talented and ambitious squad and will progress from being 'on-track' in our development, to where we want to be - 'ahead of schedule'.”

The Bears see quite a few changes to the past few weeks with the loss of Hull KR loan players Josh Gusdek (Halifax) Matt Marsh (Newcastle) and Connor Robinson (back to Hull KR for injury cover). Influential halfback Billy Sheen is also nursing a hamstring injury from the York game. This opens the door for Dan Poulton and Dan Parker who move into the halves.

There are a few big positive’s for the Bears as jet heeled winger Dan Rundle and powerful prop Kenny Kelliher come into the side. Rundle who signed a cross code deal through partners Coventry Rugby Union makes his debut and is sure to add some serious pace while Kelliher coming in from Australia adds some real size and experience to the pack.

 Coventry Bears 19 man squad versus Rochdale Hornets:

1. Cameron Boulter (7)

2. Dan Rundle (42)

3. Simon Phillips (13 &Captain)

4. Eddie Medforth (4)

5. Reece Chapman Carry (41)

6. Dan Poulton (18)

7. Dan Parker (30)

8. James Geurtjens (27)

9. Alex Brown (9)

10. Tom Hall (38)

11. Matt Reid (50)

12. Chris Barratt (12)

13. Steven Coleman (21)

14. Richie Hughes (24)

15. Matt Cooper (26)

16. Kenny Kelliher (32)

17. Alex Calvert (17)

18. Alex Beddows (16)

19.Jake Pratley (22)

Dan Rundle, Kenny Kelliher and Dan Parker