BEARS CRUSH SCORPIONS

COVENTRY BEARS 44 SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 22

Sunday 16th August Butts Park Arena 3pm

Pictures by Tim Nunan

Coventry Bears bagged their first home win in a number of weeks on Sunday afternoon, as they defeated visitors South Wales Scorpions at Butts Park Arena.

The Bears didn’t take long to get on the scoresheet when on eight minutes halfback Cameron Boutler’s neat offload to centre Dan Parker allowed him to cross under the sticks, and from the kick off came another try for them, with South Wales handing Coventry a penalty on half way for a high tackle. This enabled the Bears to storm through the scorpions defence and for debutant Jordan Harper to cross over in the right corner. Dan Parker converting both kicks.

It was all Coventry’s game in the first half, with every decision going their way and South Wales unable to complete a set of six. A Boutler high kick was knocked on under the sticks by Scorpions which allowed the Bears a repeat set which let to recent recruit Dan Price to score in the left corner; Parker successfully kicked the conversion from the touch line.

Fan favourite Jamahl Hunte crashed over for two spectacular tries within minutes of each other, first try came from a scorpion error and a pass out to his wing sent him over, second try he solely executed with an interception and a sprint full length of the field saw him cross the line under the sticks.

Despite the first half beating that Scorpion’s received, they were not going in at Half time without putting up a fight. Shortly before the break, crossed over the line twice, Farrer scoring the first and a cross field kick sent Parker over in the right corner, both conversions successful.

Despite the Scorpions resurgence late in the first half the Bears opened the scoring in the second half, as they continued to stop South Wales from gaining anything out of this game. Richie Hughes crossed over the line for Coventry after they were handed a number of penalties, because of Scorpion’s bad discipline.

South Wales kept on threatening to score, and when the Bears knocked on in front of their line, the pass went out wide to the left allowing Ian Newbury to cross the line. Scorpions continued to fight back but only for Coventry’s strong defence were they held out, being held up over the line a number of times in the last ten minutes of the game. The hosts deserved the win in this game, despite Scorpions spirit; the Bears were certainly the better team on the day. Finishing the game off when Liam Thompson got his second try in as many weeks under the sticks in the final minute.

Speaking after the game Head Coach Tom Tsang said “Its great to be finally back on the winners list. We started strongly as we have for the last 4 or 5 games, We built up a 28 - 0 lead after 30 minutes and i think the lads switched off a bit letting Scorpions score a couple of quick tries before the half. South Wales then came out and give it everything and the second half was much closer - they made it tough for us but we came through and scored a few more good tries.”

“We set ourselves a target of winning our remaining 4 games so today was vital. At times we played as good as we have all year but we really need to be more consistent over the 80 minutes. The last three games will all be tough and to win them all will be a big challenge but we definitely have the players to kick on now, we just need to apply ourselves.”

Coventry Bears

1 Andy Winfield (28) 

2 Jason Bass (45) 

3 Jordan Harper (40) 

4 Dan Parker (30) 

5 Jamahl Hunte (20) 

6 Dan Price (39) 

7 Cameron Boulter (7) 

8 Jack Morrison (17) 

9 Richie Hughes (24) Captain

10 Alex Beddows (16) 

11 Liam Thompson (29) 

12 Chris Barratt (12) 

13 Matt Cooper (26) 

14 Nick Taylor (3)

15 Tom Hall (38) 

16 Andy Unsworth (34) 

17 Jack Francis (46) 

Tries: Parker (8), Harper (11), Price (17), Hunte (20, 26), Taylor (53), Hughes (58), Thompson (80)

Goals: 6/8

South Wales Scorpions

1 Jonny Leather (10) 

2 Zak Williams (17) 

3 Ian Newbury (2) 

4 Jordan Sheridan (1) 

5 Yannic Parker (28) 

6 Curtis Davies (6) 

7 Paul Emanuelli (7) 

8 Barrie Phillips (12) 

9 Connor Farrer (9) 

10 Rhys Davies (15) 

11 Kyle Scrivens (4) 

12 Connor Davies (19) 

13 Ryan Millington (21) 

14 Dafydd Hellard (14) 

15 Paul Edwards (3) 

16 Tala Petelo (20) 

17 Christopher Speck (34) 

Tries: Farrer (36), Parker (40),  Newbury (68)

Goals: 3/3

Penalty count: 8-12

Half-time: 28-12

Referee: Jon Roberts

Attendance: 317

NEXT BEARS HOME MATCH IS SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER V LONDON SKOLARS