Resilient Coventry Bears fall to defeat against Keighley Cougars

KINGSTONE PRESS LEAGUE 1

COVENTRY BEARS 16 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 36

Coventry Bears gave a brave account of themselves as they went down to defeat against Keighley Cougars in the first ever rugby league match played at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

A record crowd for a Bears home game of 1,097 fans watched as Tom Tsang's side put in a spirited display against the second-placed Cougars.

It was thrilling match for the many neutrals in attendance with the Yorkshire outfit unable to kill off the resilient Bears until the final ten minutes.

It took 14 minutes for the first points to be registered with Adam Brook crossing for the visitors after clever play on the line before Vinny Finigan increased the lead to 8-0 on the 26th minute as he went over in the corner.

The pressure was beginning to show for both sides and the game changed when Bears' Joel James and Cougars' Liam Darville were sent to the sin-bin.

The resulting penalty went to the away side and they scored a crucial try through Ash Lindsay.

The game was finally put to bed moments later when Paul White crossed before Hamish Barnes rounded off the scoring for the Cougars.

Brook converted two of the three late tries to add a gloss to the final scoreline but it was a performance the Bears could be proud of on a ground-breaking day for the sport in Coventry.

Bears: O'Mara, Warrilow, Medforth, Reid, Bass, Redman, James, Beddows, Lobwein, Morrison, Thompson, Barratt, Hughes Replacements: Geurtjens, Beecham, Miliszewski, O'Sullivan.

Keighley: White, Gabriel, Sheriffe, Barnes, Finigan, Darville, Brook, Cheerryholme, Feather, Rawlins, Hawkyard, Martain, Lindsay Replacements: Ollett, Lynam, Peltier, Bailey.

Referee: John McMullen

Attendance: 1,097