Preparations going well, as Bears look ahead to the Challenge Cup

By Mike Hyde

After rebuilding much of the squad, and himself stepping into the hot-seat as Director of Rugby, Bears boss Alan Robinson reflected on losing in Sunday’s trial game at Keighley Cougars;

‘Overall we took 19 players to this game including players who have not played this level at all before Cougars had 23 with pretty much their best team on the field at times throughout the game.’

‘We defended back -to -back sets only to drop concentration and allow them to score. We also struggled to get field position from our kicks and inexperience showed in certain areas positionally but that’s why we have come to play today, it’s all part of our preparation.’

‘Myself and Rich Squires have learned a lot today about certain players and this will form the decisions we make leading up to the season. It was a very valuable game to play at this time of the year and will stand us in very good stead.’

This was the third of three preseason outings, the first being a runout against the Prison Service, with the second being a well attended home game against a very useful, fit and young London Broncos side.

The League season starts with a home game on Sunday 16th February against Rochdale Hornets, but the weekend before that will see the Coventry Bears in Challenge Cup action.

So who will be their opponents?

It could be one of our fellow League 1 clubs, maybe old rivals London Skolars, or one of the Northern sides such as Doncaster or Hunslet.

Cumbrians Distington, who we played a couple of seasons ago, are among the 22 community sides playing this weekend with the 11 winners going forward to the next round.

Also in the mix are North Midland outfit Sherwood Wolfhunt, whose game against West Bowling [Bradford] is being streamed on the OurLeague App this Sunday.

And for lovers of RL trivia, there could be THREE Bears in the next round, with West Bank Bears and Ashton Bears looking join us in the draw which takes place on Monday 27th.

CHALLENGE CUP BECKONS

Preparations going well, as Bears look ahead to the Challenge Cup