Coventry Bears v Newcastle Thunder, Good Friday 30th March 3pm kick-off at the Butts Park Arena.

After having their first two home league games postponed, one due to weather, the other making way for last week’s cup game, Bears are at home on Good Friday as they face Newcastle Thunder at the Butts Park Arena.

So far, the Bears season has been all about the cup with wins in round three and round four setting up a game in Widnes.

But the focus now is on the long haul of the league campaign. Bears suffered a heavy loss in their first game, away at Doncaster 70-10. However, they beat Hemel Stags in a game sandwiched between their Challenge Cup exploits and that puts the Bears on a run of three consecutive victories, so what chance of a fourth?

Thunder are a well fancied top half of the table side whose support is steadily growing. Yet in contrast to Coventry, they have lost their last two matches.

However, Doncaster rear their heads again in this preview, with both of Thunder’s last games having been against the Dons, losing 34-0 in the Cup and 20-22 in the League.

Last season’s game saw Thunder comprehensively beat the Bears 68-20 in Newcastle, which after going in at half time 42-4 down, could have been even worse. The last home encounter saw the Bears trailing by just two points at half time 14-16, but then failing to score in the second half while Thunder just kept going to emerge 14-32 victors.

So, whether looking at history or current form, Good Friday’s encounter promises to be a tough one, but just the type of game to measure the Bears’ progress as their fourth season as a semi-pro side gets into full swing.

Tom Tsang, Bears Head Coach has been reviewing this week's oppostion: "I've watched a fair bit of video on Newcastle from this season and I love the way they play. They are clearly in very good shape and use that conditioning to play a fast uptempo style where they employ good shape and push around the ruck. If defending teams can't control them in this area, then they are capable of putting points on the board quickly. We know we have made improvements since the start of the season, but this match against Newcastle will test how far we have really come."

"We will be without Chris Barratt and Lewis Lord as they continue to recover from their leg injuries. Zak Williams is in doubt with an infected cut on his knee, as is Kam Pearce Paul who picked up a knee strain in the final seconds last Sunday. Ben Gray may also miss the match due to family commitments. We will once again need to ask players in the squad to step up if the need and opportunity arises."

Hospitality is available prior to the game for £40 including a three course meal, game entrance, programme and parking included. Email debbie.watson@coventrybears.co.uk to book.

Match day tickets for the Good Friday game can be purchased by clicking here.

Coventry Bears Team:

1. Jason Bass

2. Hayden Freeman

3. Dante Morley-Samuels

4. Kam Pearce Paul

5. Jamahl Hunte

6. Paul Emmanuelli

7. Ben Stead

8. Dan Gover

9. Zak Williams

10. Joel Thomas

11. Kieran Sherratt

12. James Mason

13. Chris Vitalini

14. Liam Rice Wilson

15. James Geurtjens

16. Malikhi Lloyd Jones

17. Errol Carter

18. Harry Kaufman

19. John Aldred

Bears aim for fourth victory in a row.