WOMENS FESTIVAL 2024

On Sunday 23rd June we hosted the 2nd Women’s Midlands Championship Festival and it was huge occasion for the club, kicking off after the Under 14/16 Girls futures festival the team were in high spirits a host of good training sessions and lots of new members joining the of the team.

21 players were available and played in the festival which was a great achievement for the club and sport and one head coach Declan was very proud.

By Dec Jones Women’s Coach

Coventry Bears Women turned out in numbers and gained more experience in Festival 2 at Old Coventrian’s.

Starting off after a good warm up in what was very warm conditions we faced Leamington Royals in our first game. The Royals have recruited well in the off season and we’re going to be a real challenge.

We started the match making to many errors and allowed the Royals to enter our half far to easily, despite some great effort in defence the Royals made their possession count and took an early lead.

Coming from behind we dug deep and with Josie Parnaby controlling play and showing great footwork she went over for our first try of the day. Eleanor Beech added the extra points.

The game went back and forth in terms of field position and there was some great defence and some huge hits going in from the Bears especially Megan Lole and Erin Harrington but again our handling letting us down and we invited the Royals into our half to easily. A few changes saw new mum Tamzin Pinches back in the team after having baby Teyo 6 weeks ago… doing what she does best scooting from the half way! She took off on a typical powerful run down the left edge for the 2nd try of the game.

Time then caught up with us and credit to Leamington who hung in for the win.

A huge improvement from last game facing Leamington in the last festival final score was.

Coventry 12 vs Leamington 16

After a break and a sit in the shade Coventry faced Telford Raiders last years Grand Final winners.

We started strong and the game was level for a while until we went behind with some clinical running from Telford.

We didn’t let our heads drop and bounced back with some great runs from Amy Slade and Grace Kennedy to get us going forward. This meant we could get ourselves into a strong attacking position and a great line run by Megan Lole split the defence as she scored a great individual try under the posts to put the game within reach once more.

Unfortunately Telford had to much experience for us and scored again to secure the result in another tough game and one where many lessons were learned.

Coventry 6 vs Telford 16

Hats off to all teams playing in the hot conditions and a great day had by all.

Final comment:

Although the results didn’t go our way I was so proud of the improvement since last festival, the team has bonded well and the improvement is there to see. Numbers have grown and we are working hard to improve on the field and work towards some better results which are sure to come in time.

The defence was immense at times with some huge hits going in all round the field and players are still finding their feet in different positions in the sport.

Everyone is enjoying playing and determined to progress so there are plenty of positives.

If interested in getting involved with Coventry Bears Women just come along and get involved Wednesday nights from 8pm at Old Coventrian’s RFC.