Bears Finish Season With Defeat to All Golds

Coventry Bears 22 University of Gloucestershire All Golds 44

By Grave Mellor at Butts Park Arena

In the last game of the season, Coventry Bears were hoping to exact some pay back on the All Golds from the defeat they received earlier on in the season away to them. 

It wasn't long into the game when All Golds started off the scoring  with a full length try from Mapals off an interception from an poor pass from the Bears after just two minutes. The visitors were in again shortly after they were handed a repeat set, a lovely grubber to the corner sent Okanga over the line.

Coventry soon reacted to this when a strong run from Jamahl Hunte saw him crash through the Gloucestershire defence and sprint toward the try line. Dan Parker converted the try under the sticks.

They then took the lead when Cameron Boulter gave a lovely dummy that allowed him through the Gloucestershire defence before offloading to Ben Parry to send him over the line, Parker again converted the try.

With both teams fighting for a final win in their league campaign, all players were giving all that they had, Gloucester were able regather the lead after some impressive rugby put Murphy in for a try.

The Bears looked to respond when Hunte made one of his now trade mark breaks down the left wing. However, the pass to him was adjudged to have been forward and the All Golds were awarded a scrum on the Coventry 20 metre line.

From the scum the All Golds extended their lead when Irish International centre Callum Mulkeen crossed over untouched to touch down.

The Bears were in a resilient mood however, as Bass and Boutler pushed the All Golds in touch, which enabled Coventry to regain possession in their own half. From this ever-present second row Chris Barratt set captain Richie Hughes up nicely to cross over the try line.

Before the Break the hosts were over again after Gloucestershire knocked on in front of Bears try line, a passage of accurate passing put Parker over in the left corner. The score line showed at half time how evenly matched the two teams were.

Coventry’s defence was solid at the start of the second half, as Gloucestershire were handed a number of repeat sets due to Bears errors but they were able to hold them out and get out of their own half with a penalty.

Despite this Gloucestershire opened the scoring in the second half with what can only be described as a questionable try, as there appeared to be a knock on in the build up, All Golds were able to carry on sending Mapals over for the second of the day.

Lee Greenwood's side seemed to be dominating the second half as possession seemed mainly with them, running in three tries in the space of ten minutes; Murphy, Davies and Davidson, these three tries sent the margin between the teams to high and too hard for Coventry to catch them and equal the score.

Coventry were unable to get on the score sheet in the second half, which saw All Golds score five tries past them after a number of errors from Coventry. Coventry were unfortunate as the first half was evenly matched but Gloucestershire were the better team in the second half. It was an unsuccessful ending to Coventry’s a first season in league one, but overall was a successful one. 

Coventry Bears

1 Andy Winfield (28)

2 Jason Bass (45)

3 Dan Parker (30)

4 Ben Perry (5)

5 Jamahl Hunte (20)

6 Dan Price (39)

7 Cameron Boulter (7)

8 Jack Morrison (17) 9

9 Richie Hughes (24) 7

10 Matt Cooper (26)

11 Liam Thompson (29)

12 Chris Barratt (12)

13 Stephen Coleman (21)

14 David O’Connor (11)

15 James Geurtjens (27)

16 Kenny Kelliher (32)

17 Morgan Evans (39)

Tries:  Hunte (9), Parry (14), Hughes (27), Parker (32)

Goals: Parker ¾

Field Goals:N/A

University of Gloucester All Golds

1 Jamie Murphy (33)

2 Lee Mapals (31)

3 Callum Mulkeen (4)

4 Phil Cowburn (1)

5 Ryan Pywell (28)

6 Courtney Davies (20)

7 Matt Bradley (7)

8 Ollie Purslow (8)

9 Steve Parry (9)

10 Alex Davidson (34)

11 Edwin Okanga (32)

12 Lewis Reece (3)

13 Emmerson Whittel (30)

14 Toby Topham (6)

15 Joe McClean (14)

16 Graham O’Keeffe (35)

17 James Walter (17)

Tries:  Mapals (2,49), Okanga (6), Murphy (19, 57), Mulkeen (23), Davies (60), Davidson (65), Pywell (74)

Goals: 6/9

Field Goals:N/A