South Wales Ironmen Match Report

Coventry Bears Match Report

Bears lose out in the last minute of play

South Wales Ironmen 24 Coventry Bears 22

Coventry Bears were pipped at the post in the final seconds of a game they thought they had won at the Ironmen’s Merthyr Tydfil stadium.

The match was played in heat more associated with the South of France than South Wales, and this together with the hosts’artificial pitch created challenging conditions for both sides.

The Bears started the game in determined fashion, but a grubber kickfromthe Ironmen led to their scoring first, and getting the conversion.

The hosts continued pressing, pinning the Bears in their own half as Roets sneaked over from the dummy half position. The conversion was missed but the Ironmen took their lead to 12-0 at half time thanks to a penalty.

Half time Ironmen 12 Bears 0

After that scrappy first half, things would surely get better for the Bears, but everything was going the hosts’ way as the ball bounced in their favour and they were over for another try to make the score 16-0.

At last the Bears scored thanks to Kieran Sherratt getting on the end of Harry Chapman’s grubber kick, and Brad Delaney converted. The comeback was happening.

With the Bears in the ascendency, the Ironmen had a player sin-binned to give a numerical advantage to the Bears, whose Mikey Russell crossed over from close range.

The try was converted but the Ironmen responded when awarded a penalty kick for the score to reach 18-12.

Midway through the second half, the Bears levelled, as Jack Morrison powered over for another converted try.

Then, with ten minutes to go, Matt Reid added his name to the scoresheet and put the Bears in the lead at 18-22.

The clock ticked agonisingly as the Bears hung on for a hoped for first away victory.

But luck was not ontheir side as the home side scored in the dying embers of stoppage time to take all the spoils, and the Bears to consider the mistakes which had cost them so dearly in the first half.

Full time South Wales Ironmen 24 Coventry Bears 22

Sunday we are back at home versus Workington Town