Jamahl Hunte in action v Hemel last week
Coventry Bears aim to follow Coventry City’s cup success!
All at Coventry Bears congratulate Coventry City in reaching the final of the Checkatrade Trophy, and now it’s their turn in Rugby League’s League one Cup as they prepare for the short journey down to Oxford on Sunday.
Looking ahead to the game, Alan Robinson, the Bears CEO explained;
‘’The iPro Cup is open just to clubs in League 1, so it’s very similar in format to the cup where the Skyblues have reached the final.
A home tie would have been nice but Oxford have a 4g pitch so there will be no excuses and it will be interesting to test ourselves again this week.’’
Oxford were admitted to the ranks of semi -professional Rugby League just two years before the Bears, and this together with the comparatively short distance between the two clubs means that a real rivalry is emerging.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Tom Tsang commented;
‘We will be putting our strongest possible side out for this weekend’s match at Oxford, and we will be looking for good performances from our more experienced players. Some of the squad require fitness tests later in the week following injuries picked up in our last game against Hemel.
Cal Beckett has a groin strain, Matt Reid a hamstring pull and Cian Timmins an ankle sprain. I am hopeful all three will be available for Saturdays fixture.’
Squad from:
Beddows, Gaylor, Beckett, O'Mara, Barratt, Timmins, Medforth, Davies, Freeman, Morrison, Hunte, Geurtjens, Prior, James, Aldred, Sherratt, Fairhurst, Reid, Russell, Roper, Johnson.
Kickoff is at 2pm, Saturday 18th February at Tilsley Park, Abingdon, nr Oxford.