Coventry Bears

In the heat at the Asterdale, the Carvell Coventry Bears under 11s travelled with great hopes for the Derby festival with a number of new players getting their first taste of Rugby League, and they didn’t disappoint.

The first game of the day was against local rivals Birmingham, the game started slowly for the young Bears as the new players started to learn the game. But a try from Matt Davis on debut gave them the lead before Birmingham replied leaving the game tied at half time. (1-1) The second half saw an improved display, with Jake Smith showing great attacking flair with some darting runs, and tries for Jack Tolley and Sam Greening making them secure a 3-1 victory.

The second game for the juniors was against an experienced Telford side that are always tough to beat. In their best performance of the day they blew Telford off the park in the first half with Elliott Sheepy scoring twice and Sam Greening adding another to lead 3-0 and half time. The second half the young Bears showed they could also defend as well with some great tackles going in by all on the pitch. Telford did get a reward for their attacking effort with a try before young Elliott completing a great hat-trick to give them a 4-1 victory.

The final match was against an ever improving Derby side. But it was the Bears again that shone through, with Matt Davis leading the defensive effort putting in some ferocious hits, and forward Sam Greening running hard to claim two tries and Davis also scoring two, to win 4-0 and win the festival unbeaten.

Their was special mention for Jake Smith as a rising star for the future, and Elliott Sheepy won the Team Player award for playing for Birmingham, as a few of the Bears also played for Telford and Derby during the festival to help make up numbers.

Also three under 13s made the trip and shone playing for Telford Raiders U13s.

Well done to everyone today was really good perfomance by all and thanks to Neal from Hinkley for organising the lads from there to travel to Derby, and all the parents who made the trip.

Thanks also to Peter Parker, Maraid Bradley, Stacey Tolley and Debbie Drake for making the day a success.

Training is on Sundays at Old Coventrians RFC at 10.30 with the next festival at Birmingham on Sunday 22nd July.