Carvell Coventry Bears Ladies 32 v 14 Nottingham Outlaws
Saturday 19 July, Old Coventrians, Coventry
The Carvell Coventry Bears Ladies today played host to the Nottingham Outlaws. After a hard-fought 20-10 away victory early in the season, the Bears Ladies’ expectations of a tough encounter were well-founded, and coming on the back of last weekends’ defeat to West London Sharks, the Bears were keen to get their season back on track – they didn’t fail in their mission.
The Bears’ started slowly, with the visitors going over in the first two minutes of the game as the Bears normally excellent defence surprisingly failed them. There was a strong suspicion in the large crowd of a knock-on in, but the ref had no hesitation awarding the try. The Bears regrouped and within four minutes were level following an excellent back line attacking move finished off by Jo Hart. Kerry Williamson successful conversion gave the Bears a 6-4 lead.
This was quickly followed by another flowing attacking back line move that saw fullback Helen Price touchdown for the first of her two tries.
For a while the Bears’ Ladies found themselves back in their grove, only for complacency to set in and as the result of some sloppy ball handling skills and Nottingham were quick to get to ball and score. The visitors were keen to attack whenever they had chance, but the home defence had learnt its lesson and were making it hard for the Outlaws to find a way through their line.
It was the Bears who scored again with Ant Morgan powering her way over the try line. Kerry Williamson was again successful with the conversion.
Nottingham showed lots of spirit as the Bears let them sneak back into the game with a mistake from the kick off. However, the Bears’ finished the first half strongest with another well worked try for Helen Price to claim her second try of the day.
Half Time: 22-10
The bears started the second half strongly, but it was the turn of the Outlaws to show an excellent defence and keeping the bears out. Despite some excellent attacking rugby, the stale-mate held for over 20 minutes. As both defences tired, Jo Hart and Kyra Gleeson proved the difference with their never-say-die attitude to every tackle and making hit after hit.
The deadlock was broken with a try again for the Bears. Scored by Jo Kilby (aka BJ) on her welcome return to the team after a two year absence of, Jo showed she showed that she has lost none of her form and motored down the field to score her first of the day. Kyra Gleeson’s conversion made it 28-10.
As the pace of the game got to the Bears, Nottingham came back into the game strongly. However the experience of Stacey Hando and Sheena Larkin got the girls moving again and again the Bears scored out wide with an excellent set of 6 finishing with Jo Kilby going over for second running the ball from half way.
In the dying minutes though the bears let Nottingham have the last try, when an unusual fumble near to the try line cost them dearly.
Final Score: 32-14
Coach Michelle Umaga was pleased with her young side’s efforts. ‘The girls knew this was going to be a hard match, but they dug in deep to get this win, and have continually impressed in every game we’ve played. We’re looking forward to next week’s game against the Army which again is going to be a hard battle for us’
Next Saturday (26 July) the Carvell Coventry Bears Ladies entertain the Army Ladies in a 1pm kick-off at Old Coventrians, Tile Hill. All are welcome to cheer of the Bears Ladies – and entrance is free!!!
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