Oxford Preview

Paul Emanuelli  

Bears looking for two in a row!

Oxford v Coventry Bears Saturday 9th September 2pm kick-off Tilsley Park Abingdon

Match Preview by Mike Hyde

Bears travel down the M40 to their near neighbours Oxford on Saturday brimming with confidence after last weekend’s 16-22 away victory in Wrexham against North Wales Crusaders. That win had been a long time coming and was the Bears’ first on the road in a season now rapidly drawing to a close.

However, it wasn’t just the win, but the nature of that win which saw the Bears attack well, scoring some very impressive tries, but also saw the Coventry side defend well too. And better still, they did both these tasks for a full 80 minutes without the lapse which sadly had become a trademark of their game this season.

So, after a game where everything all came together, confidence is high. New late season recruits are settling into the side well, and the team is now much stronger and has greater depth.

They have already played in Abingdon this season in the iPro Cup warm-up competition in February, when they lost 30-28. Two months later in the league, the Bears reversed that result, emerging 40-28 victors at the Butts Park Arena.

Oxford have gained more victories than the Bears this season and sit three points above them, so a win for the Bears would not only make it two in a row but would give them a chance of chance of overtaking Oxford on the last day of the season.

And that last Bears home game the following Saturday promises to be a great event, being a double header with Coventry Utd FC and also the occasion of a pre match hospitality event and an award ceremony.

Bears Squad to face Oxford: 

1. Mikey Russell

2. Hayden Freeman

3. Matt Reid

4. Jason Bass

5. Jamahl Hunte

6. Paul Emmanueli

7. Brad Delaney

8. Jack Morrison

9. Billy Gaylor

10. Alex Beddows

11. Jacob Jones

12. Chris Barratt

13. Kieran Sherratt

14. James kelly

15. James Geurtjens

16. Paddy Jones

17. Owen Jones

18. Harry Chapman

19. John Aldred