Coventry Bears Match Preview
Whitehaven v Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears face another long trip at the weekend, up the M6 and through the Lake District to Whitehaven on the Cumbrian coast.
Cumbria is a hotbed of the game, but all three of its clubs now find themselves in League 1, with Whitehaven and their neighbours Workington both dropping down from the Championship last season.
Whitehavenare currently enjoying a good Cup run, but have only played two League games this season, with one of those being a home defeat to Toronto Wolfpack, the strongly fancied Canadian side who Coventry will visit in June.
So, the jury is out on how the ‘Haven will fare in the league this year, but they will provide a stern test for the Bears after the four hour journey up the M6on Sunday.
The Bears have yet to win in any competition this season, but have shown what they are capable of against strong competition, holding their own for much of the games against Doncaster and Barrow, both promotion favourites.
However, lapses in concentration, especially in defence has seen them punished on each outing and so far fail to get the win they richly deserve.
The mood in the camp remains optimistic and that elusive victory can’t be far away, whether it’s at Whitehaven or in front of their own fans against Oxford.
Head Coach Tom Tsang gave his thoughts;
‘Like any sport its important to get a win on the board as early as possible in a season, for confidence if nothing else. Unfortunately a combination of a new squad and injuries, not to mention facing 2 promotion chasing teams and a top 8 side from last season, has meant that first win is yet to come.
Our focus is continued improvement in our performances going forward and im confident that with that our first win will not be far away. Its a long season - we still have 19 league matches to play so we will pull together and dig deep to turn things around.’
Kickoff at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven 3pm Sunday 9th April.
Bears 20 man squad for this weekend with 17 to be selected from:
Bass
Freeman
Reid
Medforth
Hunte
Prior
Delaney
Morrison
Gaylor
Johnson
Sherratt
Barratt
Davies
Geurtjens
Gover
Beddows
Aldred
Russell
Meadows
Hughes
Next home game Good Friday, 14th April 3pm at the Butts Park Arena.