Barrow Raiders Preview

Bring on Barrow.

Coventry Bears have their first home league game of the season this Sunday against Cumbrian side Barrow Raiders.

Barrow won their opening game last weekend at Craven Park, convincingly beating York 28-0, and their Head Coach Paul Crarey singled out his sides defensive work for particular praise.

Meanwhile the Bears opened their campaign last week against much-fancied Doncaster away from home where they lost 26-4, a respectable scoreline in a match where the Bears were very much the equal of a well-established Doncaster side strengthened with ex-Super League players.

So, what is the history between this weekend’s sides?

Last season the Bears were beaten at home by Barrow 0-34 at home, with the Raiders going on to mount a very strong challenge for promotion. This was an all-round solid performance by the away side, with good attack and strong defence.  

The two sides have met more recently in a warm up game at the end of January. It was the the Raiders who had home advantage and came out on top, 36-18, a respectable result for a changed Coventry team.

However, that was a warm up game and this is the real thing.

Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang gave his thoughts;

‘Last week was a heartening performance from us against Doncaster. It was a good response to the poor previous performance against Hunslet and although we didnt win the game, we now know we have the ability to mix it with some of the best teams in the league.

Barrow will pose a similar test as they too have a lot of experience in their side - we need to show the same level of commitment that we had last week - if we do that then we will give ourselves plenty of opportunities which we need to make the most of.

We are still waiting on the outcome of several fitness checks on recent injuries, but we know we will be without Charlie O’Mara who needs to undergo surgery on a long standing knee injury.’

Bears Team v Barrow to be selected from;

Roper

Freeman

Bass

Medforth

Hunte

Prior

Geurtjens

Gaylor

Aldred

Reid

Barratt

Sharratt

Russell

Gover

Beddows

Johnson

Delaney  

Timmins 

We look forward to welcoming fans old and new.

Bears v Barrow Raiders, Sunday 12th March kick off 3pm at Butts Park Arena

Adults £12, Concessions £10, Youths £5, Under 12s free