BEARS V SKOLARS MATCH REPORT
Bears Halfback Dan Price in action
Coventry Bears 18 London Skolars 28
Butts Park Arena, 6th September.
London Skolars recorded a valuable victory over Coventry Bears at Butts Park Arena despite being reduced to twelve men for the entirety of the second half.
The visitors laid down a marker early in the game when on three minutes when winger John Paxton crashed over in the corner to put his side in front.
After the opening try the game became an arm wrestle with the Bears looking to find their way into the game. Despite being an arm wrestle both sides made breaks through the defensive line.
It wouldn’t be until the twenty third minute that the next score came when Andy Williams touched down to double the London sides lead to 8-0.
The Bears responded well as they managed to put the Skolars under some sustained pressure and a flowing break allowed second row Chris Barratt to touch down for the first time this season.
However, despite the resurgence the Skolars hit back with five minutes to go in the half hooker Billy Driver snook over from a yard out to put his back ahead.
From this replacement prop Louis Robinson had a brain explosion when he decided to head butt Richie Hughes. This resulted in him being sent off for the indiscretion.
Jack Morrison would round off the first half scoring when he put the Bears back to within touching distance with three minutes to go in the half leaving the score at 10-14 at the break.
The Bears started the second half looking to grab control of the game. Within four minutes of the second half they had taken the lead when winger Jamahl Hunte was put in by Parker to make it 14 a piece.
Then two minutes later Simon Phillips put them 18-14 up as he went over on the right hand side.
Again the Bears lead didn’t last long as Driver grabbed is second try of the game. Connick added the extras.
With then minutes to go Connick converted a penalty to extend his sides lead.
James Anthony then secured the victory for the Skolars with five minutes to go as their lead stood at 18-28.
It was a difficult defeat for the Bears as they looked to finish the season off on a positive note. They will now be working hard and looking to get a win in the last game of the season against Gloucester All Golds next Sunday 13th at the Butts Park Arena.
GAME BREAKER: Jermaine Coleman’s second half intercept led to a vital try for London Skolars
Coventry Bears
1 Andy Winfield (28)
2 Jason Bass (45)
3 Ben Parry (5)
4 Simon Phillips (13)
5 Jamahl Hunte (20)
6 Dan Price (40)
7 Cameron Boulter (7)
8 Jack Morrison (17)
9 Richie Hughes (24) Capt
10 Andy Unsworth (34)
11 Liam Thompson (29)
12 Chris Barratt (12)
13 Matt Cooper (26)
Subs (all used)
14 James Geurtjens (27)
15 Morgan Evans (50)
16 Dan Parker (30)
17 Nick Taylor (3)
Tries: Barratt (29), Morrison (37), Hunte (44), Phillips (50)
Goals: Dan Price 1/1, Dan Parker 0/3
London Skolars (No Squad Numbers)
1 James Anthony
2 Jimmy Morgan
3 Matt Cook
4 Chris Bishay
5 John Paxton
6 Tommy Connick
7 Jermaine Coleman
8 Michael Sykes
9 Mike Bishay
10 Will Martin
11 Kaleem Faturoti
12 Will Lovell
13 David Williams
14 Louis Robinson
15 Billy Driver
16 Mike Benson
17 Aaron Small
Tries: Paxton (3), Williams (23), Driver (33, 54), Anthony (75)
Goals: Connick 4/5
Men of the Match
Bears: Dan Price
Skolars: Billy Driver
Half-time: 6-12
Referee: D Merrick
Attendance: 516