Bears 24 Keighley Cougars 18 - Betfred League 1, Round 7 (rearranged)
Some things are worth waiting for - especially back-to-back wins!
The Bears wrapped up exactly that on Friday night as they put Keighley Cougars to the sword in this rearranged fixture, with comfortably their most mature performance of the 2021 season so far.
Originally scheduled for June, this game was postponed at the Cougars’ request under Covid-19 protocols. While frustrating, it did mean the match eventually got to be played under the Friday nights lights, on Challenge Cup Final weekend, in front of a vocal crowd of almost 400 fans.
And, for the Bears, their assured, accomplished, and clinical victory was not only a huge boost to their hopes of making the end of season play-offs, but also the perfect birthday present for head coach Rich Squires.
In an entertaining and combative match, the hosts outplayed, outthought and outmuscled their heartland opponents, and were fully deserving of their fourth win of the season with a confident and disciplined performance - despite missing regular starters Peter Ryan, Kieran Sherratt, and Jack Dawson.
Two tries in three minutes just before the hour mark - from Darius Hamilton and Sam Bowring - clinched the win for the Midlanders, adding to first half efforts from Dan Coates and Liam Welham.
A pair of tries either side of half time from Phoenix Laulu Tongaga’e had given the Cougars hope, but it was quickly snuffed out by the hosts’ gritty resolve. Other Keighley scores from Charlie Graham and Mo Agoro couldn’t deny the Bears.
After an even start, the hosts broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when halfback Coates threw a wicked sidestep metres from the Cougars line, and waltzed through.
The Bears continued their bright start and almost got themselves in again seven minutes later when Ryan Langton broke the Keighley line, but his attempted offload didn’t pay off.
However, they didn’t have to wait much longer. Three minutes later they dared to keep the ball alive on the last and it paid off, with Welham crashing in on a arking run.
Cougars hit back midway through the half with their first meaningful attack of the game. After good work from Jason Muranka, they moved the ball left for Graham to finish smartly.
Coates restored the Bears’ two-score cushion five minutes later, slotting a penalty awarded for a high tackle on Jed Charlton. He then added another seven minutes after that, punishing a Cougars offside.
Right on half time, the visitors struck again. This time, it was their turn to run it on the last tackle, neatly feeding Laulu Togaga’e in the corner.
The winger was in again five minutes after the break. After a period of sustained Cougars pressure, they ended up with a huge overlap on the left edge and Laulu Tongaga’e profited.
The Cougars continued to dominate possession but the Bears were resilient in their goal line defence, forcing a number of errors.
And their effort was rewarded fifteen minutes into the half, when Hamilton managed to hoist a Dave Scott grubber into his arms and score his first professional try.
Three minutes later they were in again. When Coates’ deft pass went to ground everyone in the Butts Park Arena seemed to stand and stare, apart from Bowring, who scooped it up to score.
That swung the whole balance of the game back in favour of the hosts. From then on, it was all about the Bears’ game management - they never looked in danger of letting Keighley back into it.
The Cougars did have the final say with a diving finish in the corner from Agoro with the last play of the game, but it mattered little and, frankly, gave his side a flattering final tally.
Don’t miss out on our next home game, against North Wales Crusaders on Sunday 8 August, 3pm kick-off - get your tickets now!
MATCHFACTS
COVENTRY BEARS
1 Nathan Hill
2 Elliot Wallis
3 Matty Welham
4 Liam Welham
23 Reece Rance
6 Dave Scott
7 Dan Coates
22 Brad Clavering
9 Chris Cullimore
8 Josh Dunne
11 Jed Charlton
16 Sam Bowring
13 Ryan Langton
Subs (all used)
19 Brad Ho
15 Will Budd
20 Darius Hamilton
18 Elliott Windley
Tries: Coates (7), L Welham (17), Hamilton (55), Bowring (58)
Goals: Coates 4/6
KEIGHLEY COUGARS
1 Quentin Laulu Togaga’e
2 Mo Agoro
12 Dan Parker
31 Charlie Graham
33 Phoenix Laulu Togaga’e
15 Scott Murrell
7 Jack Miller
24 Kieran Moran
9 Kyle Keswick
8 Jack Coventry
11 Jason Muranka
35 Constantine Mika
13 Aaron levy
Subs (all used)
10 Dalton Desmond Walker
19 Billy Gaylor
14 Ryan Wright
23 Matthew Bailey
Tries: Graham (21), P Laulu Togaga’e (40, 45), Agoro (80)
Goals: Miller 1/4
Man of the Match: Brad Clavering
Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 16-8
Referee: Kevin Moore
Attendance: 387
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 14-4, 16-4, 16-8, 16-12, 20-12, 24-12, 24-18