The Carvell Coventry Bears will kick off their 2008 Finals Campaign with a hard fought encounter against the 3rd placed Bedford Tigers at OC Stadium on Saturday the 9th of August. The Winner of this bruising match up travels to Nottingham on Saturday the 16th of August to take on the 2008 Minor Premiers the Nottingham Outlaws in the Midlands Grand Final.
In regular season games the Bears are undefeated against Bedford and have shared the honours with Nottingham.
In what has been an injury plagued season with: Alan Robinson (knee), Chris Brown (knee), Rich Whitehouse (knee), Mark Hyslop (thumb), Phil Malloy (shoulder), Rhiddian Booth (shoulder), Aaron Jarvis (thigh) Lee Ashford (groin), John Nicholls (back), Tom Watts (numerous) Mark Challis (knee) and Neil Hanna (knee) all missing for large parts of the season – things are now looking up for Player Coach Ty Watson with a large number of the above players making comebacks over the last 2 weeks of the season.
2008 has aslo been a great year for unearthing new talent. Rookie Teenager Matt Cooper is leading the Bears ty scoring charts and has attracted attention from a host of professional clubs.
Other teenage stars include 17yr old Mitch Todd who forced his way into the starting lineup against Gloucester last weekend.
Matt Fielder also impressed early in the season before succumbing to a shoulder injury.
Season 2008 has also seen the unearthing of the latest Bears Rookie – ex Leicester Tiger – Josh Boothby. Boothby started his first game for top team last week and finished with a hat trick.
Saturday also saw the debut of three 16 year olds from Graham Healeys talented 16’s team.
The future is looking bright for the Bears.
This success at unearthing new rugby league talent coupled with the formidable form of the Bears legendry halfback combination of Fenton and Healey, the service from skipper Alex Brown and the platform laid by Cooper, Ashford, Nicholls, Allsopp, Watson, Booth, Stevens, Jarvis, Watts and co.
Saturday the 9th will see a gala day at OC Stadium with the Academy, Ladies and 16s all in action.
On Saturday the 2nd of August the Academy travel to Redditch aiming to keep their play off hopes alive.
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