Skolars Match Report

Coventry Bears v London Skolars match report

Coventry Bears 14 London Skolars 50

Bears taught a second half lesson

Report by Mike Hyde

Coventry Bears kicked off on a chillySunday afternoon still smarting from last week’s 30-28 loss at rivals All Golds, and wanting to restore some pride in front of their home fans

Skolars were looking to consolidate their position of second in the League 1 Shield, having achieved their biggest ever win of 66-0 against Oxford last weekend.,

With just four minutes gone, KierenSherratt opened the scoring for the Bears with a try on the leftwing following two neat kicks to keep possession, but were unlucky with the conversion.

The Bears continued toattack, with JamahlHuntelooking particularly dangerous.

Following a high tackle, Bears’Chris Barratt was sinbinned, and the Skolars took advantage of theensuing penaltywith MichaelSykescrossing over and Jy-MelColeman converting to put the score at 4-6.

Bears were quickto respond and a clever offload by Matt Reid within his own half set Hayden Freeman loose, with Mikey Russel scoring.This time Delaney made no mistake with the conversion.

Once again Skolars responded thanks to Michael Bishay and a further try just before half time from Dave Williams, both of which were converted gave them a 10-18 lead.

Half time 10-18

Skolarscame out on fire and scored three tries in the first fifteen minutes of the second half.

Then just as the game was slipping away from the Bears, Jason Bass replied with a well worked try, showing the skill and variety the Bears have in attack..

But then awell rehearsed move saw the London side kick across from right to left with Jermayne Coleman catching the ball well before crossing over the line.

The Coventry Bears defence was now terminally breached, and the confident Skolars were in complete control of the game.

A further blitz of three more tries followed from the Skolars as they reached the half century mark.

The hooter sounded, with the Bears needing to focus on their defence before they play again in two weeks time.

Bears man of the match: Zak Williams 

BEARS

1 Mikey Russell

2 Hayden Freeman

3 Jason Bass

4 Matt Reid

5 Jamahl Hunte

6 Paul Emanuelli

7 Brad Delaney

17 Brad Brennan

9 Billy Gaylor

10 Paddy Jones

11Kieran Sherratt

12 Chris Barratt

13 Zac Williams

Subs (All used)

14 James Kelly

10 Jack Morrison

16 Alex Beddows

8 James Guertjens

Tries: Sherratt(4), Russell(23), Bass (55)

Goals: Delaney 1/3

Sinbin: Barratt

SKOLARS

7 Michael Bishay

27 Jacob Ogden

3 Joshua Allison

4 LameckJuma

24 Michael Brown

29Jermaine Coleman

6Jy-Mel Coleman

25 Michael Sykes

9 Charlie Lawrence

10 Lamont Bryan

10 David Williams

12 Edward Mbaraga

23 William Martin

Subs (all used)

26 Philip Lyon

15 Kazeem Edwards

8 Louis Robinson

17 Michael Greenhalgh

Tries: Sykes(4),Bishay(23,69),Williams(38),Robinson(47],Mbaraga(50)Jermayne Coleman(57),Allison(65),Edwards(78]

Goals: Jy-Mel Coleman 7/9

Penalty Count:12-6

Half Time: 10-18

Referee: S Race

Attendance:268

Scoring Sequence:

4-0,4-6,10-6.10-12,10-18,10-24,10-30,14-30,14-36,14-42,14-46,14-50