Carvell Coventry Bears Academy 14 v 16 Telford Raiders
Sat 9th August, Old Coventrians, Coventry
On a rainy day at Old Coventrians, the Carvell Coventry Bears Academy looked to gain revenge over a Telford Raiders side that beat them earlier in the season in Shropshire. However, a lack of creative play for the Bears proved their undoing, with Telford managed to pip them to the post in a tough and bruising spectacle.
The Bears struck first with hard man Ryan Jenkins bashing his way over close to the sticks. Unfortunately Luke Horan missed the conversion that would prove costly at the end of the game.
Telford stuck back quickly however, with their hooker scoring a cheeky try from dummy half. The Telford captain scored from a lovely grubber kick which took a deflection on its way along the ground on the stroke of half time; with Craig Benningwood scoring his first try for the Bears between the Raiders try’s, the game was poised at 10-8 at half time to the visitors.
Half-time: Bears 8-10 Telford
Once again defence took hold of the game with big hits coming from both sides, leaving both teams with players badly injured showing the ferocious nature of the hits being dealt out on the pitch. It took a bruising run from ‘Mangan’ put the Bears back in front with J&S Landscapes man of the match Horan kicking his only goal of the day, to push the Bear back in front.
Telford never gave in. and again wrestled the lead away from the Bears once more, with again the Raiders captain scoring the try off a strong hard drive from a tap penalty with 10 minutes left to go.
As the game hung in the balance, both sides threw everything at each other to take victory; yet it was not meant to be for the Academy, with Telford taking the spoils 16-14.
Coach Peter Parker was proud of the effort on show by his team despite the loss adding, “_Every player gave 100% today, defensively. I believe everyone was hungry to make the tackles, but just wasn’t our day today.
Man of the match today for us had to be Luke Horan, defensively led front the front, and marshalled a lot of good sets of play; probably the best game of league in his short career._”
Final score: Bears Academy 14 – 16 Telford Raiders
Bears Scorers:
Tries: Jenkins, Benningwood, Mangan,
Goals: Horan 1 from 3
J&S Landscapes man of the match: Bears – Luke Horan
Coach Parker also started to look forward to next season for the Academy and youngsters that will be added to the squad, “_Having seen the under 16s earlier in the day, credit has to go to (Graham) Healey for the work he has put in with them, the lads coming up next year from his side, will create strong competition for places next year in both Bears sides, not just the Academy. Well done lads another great year!_”
Match report: Peter Parker
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