Coventry v South Wales Preview

Bears Jason Bass makes a break v the Scorpions last time out

Coventry Bears v South Wales Scorpions

Saturday 6th August, 3pm kick off, Butts Park Arena, Coventry Rugby

Gate Entry: Adults £12 Concessions £10 Youth £5 Under 12's FREE

This Saturday the Bears take on South Wales Scorpions in the 3rd round of the League One shield.

The Bears had a week off last week, which has given us time to get over some bumps and bruises according to Head coach Tom Tsang.

“Everyone’s pretty much back to full health now, which is good,” he said. “We played South Wales three games ago and they gave us a real scare. We managed to just scrape a win but they’ll definitely think that it’s one that got away from them and will be wanting to come back and get their revenge.

“They ran Crusaders close and Newcastle close so they’ll be coming to us confident they can get a result. We need to be sure we’re firing on all cylinders and do a professional job to get the win.”

Injuries and unavailabilities have forced Scorpions’ coach Phil Carleton into a number of changes from last week but Paul Emanuelli returns to replace Courtney Davies who is struggling with a leg injury.

Ben Jones, Jake Thomas and Scott Gregory also return with Luke Nelmes and Jamie Stringer down on loan from Halifax.

South Wales Scorpions put in another good performance against Newcastle Thunder despite losing 28-16. Carleton said: “I was pleased and frustrated. I’d really like the boys to get their noses over the line because they deserve it for all the effort and hard work. It’s frustrating because but for tiny little margins we’d be there. But it is what it is, we’ve got four games and we believe all four are winnable. They’re not going to be easy but if we can pick those four wins up, it will be a great end of the year.

“When we went up to Coventry last time we started really well but Coventry showed that they are a side who have won a few and they pipped us. We’re confident, they’ll have improved from the last time we played them and will have learned a bit more about us but I know we’ve come on a step from that. I’m hoping we get it all right and with the bounce of the ball on the day we should be okay.”

Bears 19 man Squad:

Alex Beddows

Andy Unsworth

Charlie O’Mara

Chris Barratt         

Eddie Medfroth

Graham Rowlinson

Grant Beecham     

Jack Morrison

Jamahl Hunte        

James Geurtjens   

Jason Bass

Joe Batchelor

Jay Lobwein

Joel James

Jono MIliszkewski

Liam Thompson   

Matt Reid

Trae O’Sullivan   

Richie Hughes