Coventry Bears

Carvell Coventry Bears 22 v Nottingham Outlaws 8

Sat 18th July K.O. 14.30

Referee: Bob Smithies

Nottingham Outlaws lost their unbeaten run to a far more superior Bears on the day. Right from the kick off, the Bears bigger forwards ran hard at the Outlaws defence, who capitulated as early as the 3rd minute when poor tackling allowed scrum half Scott Clendenning-Fenton to score near the posts, converting his own try. (6-0)

The Bears upped the pressure, and with the Outlaws continually defending and not having much ball, more poor tackling allowed 2nd rower number 11 Tim Stevens to score under the posts. Again converted by Clendenning-Fenton after 12 mins to give the Bears a healthy 12 – 0 lead.

The Outlaws managed to steady the ship a little, with a good defensive stint but never really threatened the Bears line. Just on the stroke of half-time, when the Outlaws thought they had held out, substitute Ty Watson stretched out to score. Clendenning-Fenton missed the kick, and the ref blew for half time giving the Bears a 16 – 0 half time lead.

The second half kicked off with the outlaws playing with the breeze, and took advantage after just 4 minutes of the half when centre Ben Thornton charged down a kick, and collected to zip in the corner, missing with his conversion attempt for a 16 – 4 score.

This only spurred on the Bears, when on 48 mins some super play saw loose forward, and J&S Landscapes man of the match, Matt Cooper go in under the posts. Again converted by Clendenning-Fenton for a 22 – 4 lead.

Nottingham’s travelling support were on edge now as a defeat of over 22 points would leapfrog the Bears into top position in the league. The Outlaws muscled up in defence as the bigger Bears ran hard at the Outlaws line. Good defence kept them out and it was the Outlaws who had the last word when a display of juggling on the Bears line by Thornton allowed him to control possession and score out wide with barely 5 mins remaining, missing the conversion for 22 – 8.

Try as they may, neither side could add to the score and the whistle blew for a deserved 22 – 8 victory for the Bears.

This was the final game of the day’s triple header against the Outlaws with the Bears victorious across the board as the Ladies won 32-14 and the Under 16’s 34-22.

Unless Birmingham upset the form book in Nottingham next week, it looks very much like Nottingham Outlaws will finish the season as minor champions with a coveted home tie straight to the Midlands Final, while the Bears will have to fight out a 2 v3 play off

Scorers:

Bears
Tries: Scott Clendenning Fenton, Tim Stevens, Ty Watson, Matt Cooper
Goals: Fenton 3 from 4

Outlaws
Tries: Thornton (2)
Goals: 0 from 2

J&S Landscapes Man of the Match: Bears – Matt Cooper (Loose Forward)
Outlaws – Ben Thornton (Centre)