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Coventry Bears v Newcastle Thunder Saturday 25th June Butts Park Arena 3pm

Coventry Bears are looking to bounce back when they host Newcastle Thunder at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday.

The Bears went down to a 38-18 at Hunslet Hawks last weekend and head coach Tom Tsang hopes his side can improve when they take on the North East side back on home turf.

Tsang said: "Last week was disappointing as for 60 minutes or so in the game we were at least a match for Hunslet, if not the better side. But for a 20 minute patch in the first half we just couldn’t get our hands on the ball and were punished by a very professional outfit.

"The side are determined not to let that happen again and I am sure we will see a bounce back performance this week against Newcastle. Overall we are progressing well, but we must keep challenging ourselves to get results against these sides above us in the table.

"I am particularly pleased with the development of some of our younger, local players – props Alex Beddows and Trae O'Sullivan are improving each week, as is Charlie O’Mara and the young halves pairing of Joel James and James Redman. We are about half way through the year now, and I am really excited for what the second half of the year will bring, starting with our game on Saturday"

The Bears will be fundraising for player welfare as part of their 'Heritage Day with former players attending the game which kicks-off at 3pm.

Bears squad: Alex Beddows, Charlie O’Mara, Chris Barratt, Danny Price, Eddie Medforth, Grant Beecham, Jack Morrison, James Geurtjens, James Redman, Jason Bass, Jay Lobwein, Joe Batchelor, Joel James, John Aldred, Jono Miliszewski, Liam Thompson, Matt Reid, Richie Hughes, Trae O’Sullivan.