Coach Michelle Umagahas named the side which will face a big test in the semi final against West London Sharks. Last year the Sharks defeated the girls in the final, so this will be a chance for them to gain revenge.
The game kicks off at 2:30 on Saturday 5th of September at Old Coventrians.
1 Helen Prior
2 Lexi Mortimer
3 Sian Prior
4 Lizzy Holbourn
5 Jilly Baird
6 Bean worcester
7 Ali Allesi
8 Leah Williams
9 Debbie Drake
10 Kerry Williamson
11 Anna Norris
12 Sarah Ropier
13 Stacey Tolley
14 Lou Worcester
15 Rach Thomas
16 Kathryn Evans
17 Rowe Prior.
Team captain Debbie Drake was enthusiastic about the squad
“This year has been a strange one with the amount of injuries from last year and on top of that some of our inspirational players not living in Coventry any more. We have really missed the likes of Stacey Hando our brilliant play maker who has now gone back to Australia and a big congratulations on her recent engagement to Josh Boothby a former men’s Bears player, and also Jo Hart and Ant Morgan both on long term injury.
So we have had to build up from scratch and do it the hard way with a new team playing every week but do the hard way we have done. Making it to the national semi-final has really topped off our year and it’s all done to the hard work of the girls on the pitch who are playing with more heart and more commitment then they have ever done.
The core players of the team have had a great season with Kerry Williamson Rhiannon Watkins and Stacey Tolley all leading from the front and Sian Prior and Helen price showing why they are such class act in the backs.
But what about the new girls there is so many Beth O’Brian an amazing find to step into the role of full back her defence and runs are great to watch and a bit congratulation to Beth has she has just got her grades for university and will be going to Oxford in October.
Then there is Leah Williams our newest recruit from Australia. Leah was an Australian rugby league player and she can really tackle I’m glad she plays for us!!! She has really helped giving the young forwards a lot of confidence and helping out on the pitch.
Anna Norris aka Ghostie again a new girl who has really played well since her first game and she is a pleasure to have in this squad and again she has just got her grades for uni and will be going to Newcastle…well done.
And for the first time I’m going to have to stop myself or I will be here all day singing the praises of this very young team.
Again I have to pinch myself this is still only our 5th year Coventry Bears ladies have been playing and this is our 3rd semi-final in 3 years which is s great achievement and this is only possible from all the hard work on and off the field. So a big thanks you to all the players, Michelle Umaga for being a great coach and to Paul Prestige for helping to keep us all one straight and narrow.
And good luck”
