Bears 26 London Skolars 44 - Betfred League 1, Round 3

Report by Mike Hyde

Coventry Bears often win at their London rivals ground, but then Skolars seem to do well in Coventry and so it was on Sunday, despite the Bears taking an early lead and despite long periods of Bears dominance.

It was certainly good to see spectators back at the Butts Park Arena as Skolars kicked off against their rivals. And within two minutes the Bears had the ball and after a breakthrough, Liam Welham crossed over for the first try of the afternoon.

Having defended well, the Bears broke lose and after a deft kick were almost clear to score but couldn’t quite hang on to the ball.

Paulus Latu then capitalised on increasing Skolars pressure and crashed over the try line with three Bears hanging on to him. A conversion followed courtesy of Neil Thorman.

Rich Wilkinson was next over for the visitors and another conversion followed.

After a tense spell wit a few errors creeping in, Bears pressure mounted, culminating in a Kieran Sherratt try, but this time, Coates’ attempt hit the upright.

A superb fluid passing move saw Coates sprinting over to put the ball down between the posts, facilitating his conversion, and putting the Bears back in the lead.

A similar passing sequence put Dan Coates over the line, which he converted himself.

The Skolars were very much determined to keep themselves in the game, and just before half time hooter, a powerful Judd Greenhaigh try, successfully converted, narrowed the gap to just two points, and with everything to play for in the second half

Now with the wind behind them, the Bears kicked off the second half, and soon were in possession and close to the Skolars line, and a period of pressure followed but without any points to show for several sets .

Only a handling error prevented Skolars taking the lead as they regained possession and made yards with ease.

The half progressed, with neither side able to take ascendancy, and play was sometimes a little nervous. The Bears came close to scoring but found themselves bundled into touch a yard from the line.

An offload on the right wing finally put Jonah Varela over for the first try of the half. The conversion was difficult and failed to add to the scoreline, but Skolars now had a slender lead again.

Within three minutes, the lead had changed hands again after a short range diagonal sprint by Dave Scott, duly converted.

Then the Skolars were thwarted by a resolute Bears defence which faced attack after attack.

The game seesawed as Lameck Juma brushed off a solitary defender on the left wing to put the scores level at 26-26..

Michael Greenhaigh then put the Skolars in the lead, again on the left flank and this time Thorman added the extras.

Varela added another try for the visitors having been set free by a superb run by Juma, Thorman again on target.

The Bears endeavoured to claw themselves back into the game, but an interception by Omari Caro put paid to any hopes of a comeback, especially as Thorman made no mistake with the conversion.

So, a little disappointing, but the Bears are in action at home again next Sunday and will be looking to improve and build on this early season showing.

MATCHFACTS

BEARS

1 Nathan hill

2 A J Towse

3 Matty Welham

4 Liam Welham

23 Reece Rance

6 Dan Coates

7 Dave Scott

8 Peter Ryan

9 Chris Cullimore

19 Brad Ho

11 Jed Charlton

16 Sam Bowring

12 Kieran Sherratt

Subs (all used)

10 Stefanos Bastos

25 Jack Dawson

21 Josh Dunne

13 Ryan Langton

Tries: L Welham [2], Sherratt [20], Coates [23, 30], Scott [61]

Goals: Coates 3/5

SKOLARS

1 Richard Wilkinson

2 Jamack Juma

4 Louis Sheriff

3 JonahVarela

5 Omari Caro

21 Jy –Mel Coleman

6 Jacob thomas

15 Mal Lloyd jones

9 Neil Thorman

10 James Tyas

12 Michael Greenhaigh

11 Paulos Latu

13 Christian Gale

Subs (all used

8 Eddie Mbagara

14 Louis Singleton

22 Judd Greenhaigh

13 Christian Gale

Tries: Latu[12]Wilkinson[[13] J Greenhaigh[39], Varela[58,73], Juma [66], Caro[76], M Greenhaigh [69]

Goals: Thorman 6/8

Penalty count: 9-9

Half-time: 20-18

Referee: L.Staveley

Attendance: 210

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 4-12, 8-12, 14-12, 20-12, 20-18; 20-22,26-22, 26-26, 26-32, 26-38, 26-44