BEARS ALLOW HAWKS TO TAKE THE SPOILS
Hunslet Hawks 38 Coventry Bears 18, South Leeds Stadium, Sunday 19th June 3pm kick off
Coventry Bears travelled to South Leeds full of confidence but came up short as they met an aggressive Hunslet side who dominated much of the first half to keep the Bears at bay.
The majority of the Hawks possession came from a number of mistakes made by the Bears. Even though Bears Alex Beddows scored first, it turned into one way traffic as the Hawks raced to an 18-6 lead from a number of well taken trys over a 15 minute period that the Bears had no answer for. There were two more scores late in the second half to take it to 30 - 12 as both teams went over. Bears Joe Batchelor stepping through from an Eddie Medforth offload to score under the posts and Hawks responding just before half-time from another Bears error that gifted them easy field position.
Half-time Hunslet Hawks 30 Coventry Bears 12
The second half started with both sides tussling for physical dominance and field position and it was much better from the Bears who having more possession this half managed to ask some questions of the Hawks defence.
A number of times the Bears came close as both Richie Hughes and Jono Miliszewski broke through the Hawks line for certain scores only to be hauled back for forward passes. At least the Bears were trying to play good rugby but unfortunately it was not good enough to break the deadlock which didn't come until late in the game. From a high kick on last tackle the ball was fumbled and the resulting set allowed Hunslet to score in the right corner. The game looked a mountain to climb for the Bears at 36-12 but they didn't give up and Matt Reid broke through for a great individual score to make the scoreline look better. Hawks took 2 points for a penalty in the last few minutes to make it 38-18 at full-time.
Overall the Bears will be very disappointed with the result as this was a game they could have stamped more authority on. They will want to be better this weekend as Newcastle Thunder come to the Butts Park Arena on Saturday and will also be hungry to progress in the table before the League one 8's split in two.
Scores:
Bears
Beddows 15, Bachelor 36, 2nd half Reid 73. all converted by James.
Hawks
16,22,33,37,39. 2nd Half 71. All converted. Pen 78.
Coventry Bears Man of the match: Hooker Jay Lobwein
Bears Team:
Charlie O' Mara
Jono Miliszewski
Matt Reid
Eddie Medforth
Danny Price
Joel James
James Redman
Jack Morrison
Jay Lobwein
Alex Beddows
Liam Thompson
Chris Barratt
Grant Beecham
Interchange
Trae O'Sullivan
James Geurtjens
Joe Batchelor
Richie Hughes (C)
Hayden Freeman
Tom Tsang, Head Coach, commented on the match;
"It was a frustrating match today. I thought Hunslet deserved the win, but we had a really poor patch in the first half where defensively we just didn't compete and that's when Hunslet did their damage. We spoke at half time about going back to basics and improving our attitude and fair play to my lads they did that and I thought we were the better team in the second half, although it was too little, too late. It's a lesson for us to learn that we need to concentrate for the full 80 as we are fit enough and talented enough, but don't always apply ourselves consistently"
Historical Significance: Hunslet v Coventry
Hunslet presented the Coventry Bears with some historical memorabilia prior to the match to commemorate the last time the two clubs clashed back in 5th April 1913.
This information will be on display next Saturday 25th June as the Bears play Newcastle Thunder which is also billed as the Bears heritage day.
Coventry were accepted into the Northern Union now the Rugby Football League on June 28th 1910, 106 years ago. With Coventry Bears founded in 1998, 88 years after the first club was founded.