Widnes Vikings 5th Round Cup Details

Bears take on Vikings at Halton Stadium in historic clash!

Coventry Bears will play Widnes Vikings in the 5th Round of the Challenge Cup on

Saturday 21st April at 1 pm kick off at the Halton Stadium.

Bears Supporters details

Ticketing

Tickets are available to purchase through the Vikings website where all details and link is explained HERE. Please use code CC5WIDCO so Coventry Bears fans can be seated together.

Travel

There will be no supporters seats available on the Coventry Bears player coach for this match.

Please see below details from the new Bears supporters club with some details for travel:

Coventry Bears Supporters club have a provisional booking for a coach to the Widnes game on Saturday 21st April 2018. Rough timings would be:

Leaving Butts Park Arena – 09:00

Departure after the game – 15:00

The cost of the return coach will be £16 per person (please note that this doesn’t include your match ticket)

The Challenge Cup game against Widnes is an historic occasion for the Bears to face Super League opposition and we hope you can make it. If you are interested, please can you make contact with Coventry Bears Supporters  via email supporters@coventrybears.co.uk so we can help you make your booking.

Good Friday Match Report

Bears fightback not quite enough

COVENTRY BEARS 18 NEWCASTLE THUNDER 32
Mike Hyde, Butts Park arena, Good Friday 30 th March

With atrocious weather conditions and the pitch a veritable quagmire, this game was always going to difficult for both sides; Bears on a run of three wins, and Thunder still smarting from two successive defeats.

And to quote a cliché, it was to prove very much ‘a game of two halves’.
The Bears were soon on the attack after kicking off and came close on two occasions with grubber kicks which tested Thunders defence. However, it was Thunder who opened the scoring with a try on seven minutes as Full Back Theeropol Ritson went over from close quarters on the left and Thomas Shaw made good with the conversion.
The Bears responded with some strong tackling in defence with Jason Bass again outstanding and some enterprising kicking from Ben Stead.

However, Theeropol Ritson was on the receiving end of one such kick well inside his own twenty five, but then, managing to keep his feet in the worsening conditions while the Bears floundered, ran almost the length of the pitch to get his second of the afternoon. Again Shaw added the extra two points to make it 0-12 The Bears regrouped after this setback, but were still susceptible to the counter attack as Alistair Blair scooped up the ball and made sixty yards before being tackled.
To the disappointment of the fans, Bears’ Jamahl Hunte, in only his first game of the season was taken off injured and this further disrupted the home sides rhythm.
It was the loss of the ball shortly after on the halfway line that set Thunder on course for their third try of the half, this time Lewis Young crossing over with Shaw adding two more points to put Thunder on 18 points with the Bears failing to register as the half time hooter blew.
With errors a plenty, and both sides playing a kicking game, Aaron Ollett was the first to score in the second half and yet another Shaw conversion put the score at 0-24.

This could have finished the Bears, but within two minutes, James Mason finally put the Bears on the scoreboard, and Ben Stead made no mistake with the conversion.
Some 55 minutes into the game, Stead punted the ball diagonally into the corner for Erroll Carter to pounce on for a second Bears try. Stead’s difficult conversion narrowed the gap further.
Sensing a Bears comeback, Thunder opted to kick for goal rather than run with the ball after a
penalty had been awarded, and Shaw extended their lead to 14 points.

An altercation between Bears’ Chris Vitalini and Thunder’s Jack Aldous made this a twelve a side contest for the next ten minutes, during which time Ritson scored his third of the afternoon, with Shaw converting.
The Bears still weren’t finished, and with a minute remaining, Stead kicked on the fifth, ran after the ball and after a Thunder fumble picked it up and carried it over the line, completing the task with a successful conversion.
Bears spirited comeback in the second half gained them much applause as they left the rain soaked pitch covered in mud which made the two teams indistinguishable from each other.

MATCHFACTS
BEARS
1 Jason Bass
2 Hayden Freeman
3 Kam Pearce-Paul
4 Dante Morley-Samuels
5 Jamahl Hunte
6 Paul Emanuelli
7 Ben Stead
8 James Guertjens
9 Zac Williams
10 Dan Gover
11 Kieran Sherratt
12 James Mason
13 Chris Vitalini
Subs (all used)
14 Liam Rice Wilson
19 Joel Thomas
16 Malakhi Lloyd Jones
17 Errol Carter

Tries: Mason (48) Carter (56) Stead(78)
Goals: Stead 3/3
Sinbin: Vitallini (70)

THUNDER
1 Theerapol Ritson
2 Alistair Blair
33 Tuoyo Egodo
4 Joseph Brown
5 Mo Agoro
6 Lewis Young

16 Thomas Shaw
8 Liam McEvoy
9 Evan Simons
10 Vincent Rennie
11 Sam Luckley
12 Aaron Ollett
13 Jack Aldous
Subs (all used)
10 Rhys Clarke
15 Harry Aldous
20 Conor Fitzsimons
21 Ben Pointer
Tries: Ritson (7,13,75) Young (36) Ollett (49)
Goals: Shaw 6/6
Sinbin: Aldous (70)

Penalty count: 11-7
Half-time: 0-18
Referee: B Robinson
Attendance: 343
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12 0-18; 0-24, 6-24, 12-24, 12-26, 12-32, 18-32

Coventry Clubs Forge Partnership

Coventry clubs forge long term pathway

Betfred League One Coventry Bears and local amateur club Coventry Dragons have forged a new relationship that can strengthen both clubs and create a new and lasting pathway in the game that will reinforce the sport in the city and West Midlands.

Both clubs have taken huge strides forward in recent years and the time was right to have a player pathway agreement between both clubs which will see Bears squad players supporting the Dragons to get valuable game time while aspiring new local talent a path in the other direction from senior amateur rugby league to the Bears.

The Dragons who have developed into one of the strongest amateur clubs in the Midlands are taking the step to a higher level by entering the London premier league in 2018, this will put the Dragons in a position where they will get regular league games at a higher level than previously and also widen the appeal for new players joining the club who could have an opportunity to showcase themselves to the Bears.

Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang explains how the relationship will work;

“The Dragons have proven themselves to be a real force Regionally and now stepping up to play in the London Premier league clearly demonstrates their ambition and desire to test themselves at a higher level.

In Mark they have a passionate coach who, as a former Bears player, really understands the family ethos of the club and has instilled that at the Dragons.

The partnership creates a real and visible pathway for local, talented players to gain experience and eventually progress to semi pro rugby league and beyond.

The likes of Dan Gover and Harry Kaufman have proven this is possible and now by formalising this link, we hope more players will take the same opportunity.”

Dragons president Clive Jackson commented about how this can benefit his club;

“With The Dragons rapidly becoming one of the more successful teams in the Midlands from an amateur perspective - it was obvious that a further pathway into the Coventry Bears set up made sense.

Alan Robinson at the Bears has been instrumental in the Dragons success and has such a huge wealth of knowledge and experience that he is always willing to imprint on everyone. His contribution in the community made the decision to create a pathway even easier.

I thoroughly look forward to what the future holds for Rugby League in Coventry and I could not be more proud of the lads that are representing The Bears today who were once playing with a Dragons shirt.”

Young Bears half back Josh Jackson in action for the Dragons

Dragons Head Coach Mark Hyslop spoke of how this pathway has already shown it can work for both clubs;

“The relationship that has been built between the two clubs has already proved to be a success. This year will prove to be an even bigger year for us both with the introduction of the Midlands Hurricanes Academy at Loughborough College.

There are players today representing the Bears that have utilised the pathway between the two clubs and have proven themselves within the professional arena.

At the same time there are players that are primarily considered Bears regulars that have represented The Dragons recently.

Tom has the opportunity to trust a local team that his players will be mentored and coached to a high level if for whatever reason they have not made the match day squad.

It gives Tom the chance to have someone mould players that are possibly not quite ready for the big stage but have the potential to be professional athletes.

On a personal level I have a great relationship with Tom and I believe we both have a lot to offer each other in terms of experience.

I can’t wait for the season to start as I know it’s going be our best yet”

Bears CEO Alan Robinson said;

“The time is right for both clubs to take this step. I have been really impressed by how Clive Jackson, Kevin Ashford & Mark Hyslop have developed the club and been supportive to develop this partnership.

We are doing more and more in the community and this pathway will allow Bears Juniors to come through from schools at 16+ and experience senior rugby league at the right level before having an opportunity to develop even further towards League one if they want it. Having that pathway is fantastic for us all and the sport”

Bears aim for fourth victory in a row.

Coventry Bears v Newcastle Thunder, Good Friday 30th March 3pm kick-off at the Butts Park Arena.

After having their first two home league games postponed, one due to weather, the other making way for last week’s cup game, Bears are at home on Good Friday as they face Newcastle Thunder at the Butts Park Arena.

So far, the Bears season has been all about the cup with wins in round three and round four setting up a game in Widnes.

But the focus now is on the long haul of the league campaign. Bears suffered a heavy loss in their first game, away at Doncaster 70-10. However, they beat Hemel Stags in a game sandwiched between their Challenge Cup exploits and that puts the Bears on a run of three consecutive victories, so what chance of a fourth?

Thunder are a well fancied top half of the table side whose support is steadily growing. Yet in contrast to Coventry, they have lost their last two matches.

However, Doncaster rear their heads again in this preview, with both of Thunder’s last games having been against the Dons, losing 34-0 in the Cup and 20-22 in the League.

Last season’s game saw Thunder comprehensively beat the Bears 68-20 in Newcastle, which after going in at half time 42-4 down, could have been even worse. The last home encounter saw the Bears trailing by just two points at half time 14-16, but then failing to score in the second half while Thunder just kept going to emerge 14-32 victors.

So, whether looking at history or current form, Good Friday’s encounter promises to be a tough one,  but just the type of game to measure the Bears’ progress as their fourth season as a semi-pro side gets into full swing.

Tom Tsang, Bears Head Coach has been reviewing this week's oppostion: "I've watched a fair bit of video on Newcastle from this season and I love the way they play. They are clearly in very good shape and use that conditioning to play a fast uptempo style where they employ good shape and push around the ruck. If defending teams can't control them in this area, then they are capable of putting points on the board quickly. We know we have made improvements since the start of the season, but this match against Newcastle will test how far we have really come."

"We will be without Chris Barratt and Lewis Lord as they continue to recover from their leg injuries. Zak Williams is in doubt with an infected cut on his knee, as is Kam Pearce Paul who picked up a knee strain in the final seconds last Sunday. Ben Gray may also miss the match due to family commitments. We will once again need to ask players in the squad to step up if the need and opportunity arises."

Hospitality is available prior to the game for £40 including a three course meal, game entrance, programme and parking included. Email debbie.watson@coventrybears.co.uk to book.

Match day tickets for the Good Friday game can be purchased by clicking here.

Coventry Bears Team:

1. Jason Bass

2. Hayden Freeman

3. Dante Morley-Samuels

4. Kam Pearce Paul

5. Jamahl Hunte

6. Paul Emmanuelli

7. Ben Stead

8. Dan Gover

9. Zak Williams

10. Joel Thomas

11. Kieran Sherratt

12. James Mason

13. Chris Vitalini

14. Liam Rice Wilson

15. James Geurtjens

16. Malikhi Lloyd Jones

17. Errol Carter

18. Harry Kaufman

19. John Aldred

Bears overcome scares to book game against Widnes.

COVENTRY BEARS 31 PILKINGTON RECS 20

Mike Hyde, Butts Park arena, Sunday 25th March

Last week, all was set for these two teams to do battle, but the Beast from the East had other ideas. Since then, the potential of a tie against a Super League club turned into reality in Tuesday night’s draw, with a game at Widnes now being the prize for today’s winners.
The Bears kicked off, but it was the away side soon showing the most determination, pressing into the Bears half. A kick on the fifth was desperately tipped into touch by the Bears defence- an early indication that this would not be easy.

With barely five minutes gone, Chris Clayton powered over for the Pilks, but the conversion attempt hit the upright. There then followed an evenly matched period before Terence Riley forced his way over to extend Pilks’ lead. And this time Danny Lynch added two more points, to put the score at 0-10 to the NCL side. The Bears needed to improve on this or an embarrassing upset would be on the cards. The pendulum then began to swing towards Coventry with a series of attacks culminating in James Mason twisting his way over the try-line from close quarters, and Ben Stead was successful with the conversion.

Then on 35 minutes, Paul Emanuelli pulled another try back and Stead’s conversion put the Bears into the lead for the first time 12-10. Could the Bears hang on to this lead against their determined and hardworking opponents?

Half time 12-10

The second half started with both teams still in with a chance, and nine minutes in, Bears were reduced to twelve men as James Mason was sinbinned for fouling in the tackle. The ensuing penalty was missed, but Pilks’ Clayton went over for his second soon after against Coventry’s twelve remaining men and Pilkington’s Lynch converted on this occasion. The away side were in the lead again.

The Butts Park faithful were aghast that a worse looking offence from the away side minutes later merely resulted in a penalty. But this was what was needed for the Bears to be galvanised into action as, in reply, Hayden Freeman crossed over on the far left and Stead took a difficult conversion to restore the Bears’ lead.

Jason Bass added to the lead despite the efforts of three defenders to stop him over on the far left of the pitch, and once again Stead converted. The Bears at last had the upper hand against tough opposition from the Conference.

Pilks were definitely down but not yet out as Tom Chisholm pulled one back to bring them within four points of the Bears. Then a great run by Dante Morley-Samuels set up a second try for James Mason, whose Sunday afternoon had seen him go from try scoring hero to sin-binned villain and back again. The reliable Stead again converted and effectively ended Pilks’ chance of yet another comeback. Paul Emanuelli added a drop in the final two minutes to put matters beyond doubt to set the Bears on course to meet Widnes in the next round.

At the end, Bears Coach Tom Tsang reflected on a job accomplished. "We’re delighted to be through to the fifth round for the first time, and to have won three competitive games in a row. We seemed nervous for the first twenty minutes but did what was necessary and stuck to the game plan. I am buzzing for the chance to play Widnes, whatever the result it will be another great experience for the lads. I am proud of them today."

Man of the Match: Jason Bass

Tom Tsang said : "Playing injured he scored a crucial try with a miracle put down and later chased back 70 meters for a try and possibly match saving tackle. He was generally busy in attack and got us out of some sticky situations."

MATCHFACTS
BEARS
1 Jason Bass
2 Errol Carter
3 Kam Pearce Paul
4 Dante Morley-Samuels
5 Hayden Freeman
6 Paul Emanuelli
7 Ben Stead
8 James Guertjens
9 Zac Williams
10 John Aldred
11 Kieran Sherratt
12 James Mason
13 Chris Vitalini
Subs (all used)
14 Liam Rice Wilson
18 Dan Gover
16 Ben Gray
19 Joel Thomas

Tries: Mason (30,75) Emanuelli (37) Freeman (55) Bass (62)

Goals: Stead 5/5
Drop: Emanuelli
Sinbin: Mason

RECS
1 Ryan Hilliard
2 Tom Chisnall
3 Ian Stanley
4 Johnathan Frodsham
5 Jake Hodson
6 Tom Roughley
7 Danny Lynch
8 Chris Clayton
9 Ryan Liptrot
10 Mark Briody
11 Terry Riley
12 Mike Garrity
17 Jonathan Peers
Subs (all used)
14 Luke Riley
20 Phil Riley
15 Joe Chow
16 Connor Mulchay

Tries: Clayton (5, 49) Riley (17) Chisholm (70)
Goals: Lynch 2/4

Penalty count: 8-10
Half-time: 18-8
Referee: A Sweet
Attendance: 395
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10 6-10, 12-10; 12-16, 18-16, 24-16, 24-20, 30-20, 31-20

Bears next game at Butts Park; Newcastle Thunder in a League 1 fixture Good Friday 3pm Kick off.

Photos credited to Sponge Beattie, SBS photography .

Challenge Cup Round 4 Preview

Pilkington Recs Match Preview

Take Two……and all to play for.

Sunday 25th March 3pm at Butts Park Arena

It’s a return to Cup action in Coventry for a Challenge Cup rearranged fourth round tie against NCL club Pilkington Recs, in place of the scheduled League 1 b fixture

The prize for Sundays victors is a money spinning tie against Super League Widnes, so everything’s to play for and it won’t be easy.

But first, where is Pilkington, it sounds familiar?

Its not a place, but the name of a famous glass company, situated in a famous glass manufacturing town, St Helens, home of the top Super League team which does carry the town’s name.

So we are up against a team from the games ‘Lancashire’[now Merseyside] heartland, steeped in the game. And the windscreen in your car may carry the Pilkington logo!

The Recs [short for recreational] have a long and proud history, and are unique in being founded as a works rugby union side, who converted to soccer, before being reformed in 1947 as a Rugby League team.Over the years they have produced some good players who have moved on into the semi=pro game, so there could be up and coming talent on both sides this Sunday.

There is history between the two sides who played as recently as 2013, when the then NCL members Bears lost at home to the Recs.

The Bears go into the game fresh from their first league win of the season but with injuries to captain Chris Barratt and hooker Lewis Lord, but the strength in depth still gives coach Tom Tsang options.

Tom will be taking nothing for granted in another cuptie where the opposition are well fancied underdogs with a record of victories over higher placed opposition such as Bears rivals London Skolars.

Head Coach Tom Tsang’s view of the match

‘We obviously have a very important job to do this Sunday against Pilkington Recs, but seeing the draw last night and the potential reward has redoubled our motivation to get the win. Without getting ahead of ourselves - we know Pilks pose a serious threat - we could barely have asked for a better draw. I mean, obviously we would have preferred to have drawn Catalans away, but the prospect of a trip to Cheshire is equally enticing.

We are over the frustration of the snow cancelled game and are looking at it as just another week to prepare for this historic match.

Team for 25/3/18 v Pilkington Recs

1. Jason Bass

2. Hayden Freeman

3. Dante Morley Samuels

4. Kam Pearce Paul

5. Errol Carter

6. Paul Emmanuelli

7. Ben Stead

8. James Geurtjens

9. Zak Williams

10. John Aldred

11. Kieran Sherratt

12. James Mason

13. Chris Vitalini

14. Liam Rice Wilson

15. Dan Gover

16. Ben Gray

17. Joel Thomas

18. Harry Kaufman

19. Harry Chapman

Potential Super League Opposition

Frustration. But a potential game against Super League Widnes Vikings is on the cards.

Coventry Bears suffered the frustration of a second postponed home game on Sunday when their fourth round Challenge Cup tie against amateur opponents Pilkington Recs was called off due to bad weather.

However, this meant that both teams were still in the draw for the Tuesday evening’s fifth round draw where the enticing prospect of a match against a Super League club beckoned.

And that is exactly what the winners of the tie rearranged for this Sunday have drawn.

They will play Widnes Vikings, the Cheshire based club at their Select Security Stadium. Widnes have a long and proud history, and have won the Challenge Cup on seven occasions, although the most recent of those was in 1984.

They joined Super League in 2012, but have rarely been in the top half of the table, but they will provide a great experience for the Coventry Bears…..

That is of course if they beat Pilkington Recs on Sunday 25th March, at the Butts Park Arena in a game which replaces the planned fixture against West Wales Raiders.

Coach Tom Tsang is keen that his squad remain focused on this game against a very strong National Conference side who are the last from outside the three pro leagues to remain in the competition.

Added to this is that the Pilks will relish a game against a top side just nine miles away from St Helens where they are based.

The Bears therefore have two games to rearrange, having also had their league fixture against York also snowed off.

This is providing a headache for Bears CEO Alan Robinson, but the possibility of playing Super League opposition in a competitive game is an exciting prospect for all connected with the club.

Next Match: Sunday 25th March 3pm Butts Park Arena v Pilkington Recs, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Round Four. Click here to purchase your tickets - please note memberships are not valid for this game

Re-scheduled 4th Round Cup Match

We can confirm that our 4th round Challenge Cup replay will be played this Sunday 25th March at the request of the RFL.

Our scheduled League match for Sunday versus @RaidersRLWales will now be played at a later date.

Any tickets purchased online are still valid.  To purchase tickets click here

Challenge Cup 4th Round Postponed

Coventry Bears v Pilkington Recs Postponed 

Sunday 18th March  

Unfortunately due to adverse weather overnight with freezing conditions and ice and snow on the pitch and stadium, today’s match is postponed at the Butts Park Arena.  

Match will be rescheduled ASAP and we will let everyone know more information in due course.

Stand at the BPA has a large amount of snow and ice.  

Injury update

Squad Injury update from Tom Tsang: 

Back Row & Captain  - Chris Barratt 

"We've just had the really bad news through that Chris has a break in his lower leg. This was picked up in the second half against Hemel last Sunday when diving on a loose ball and a Stags player slid into his standing leg. He has only missed a couple of games in the whole time he has been at the club since 2015, so this is a huge blow for us - especially as he is this years captain and has been leading us well and striking up a fine partnership with his right edge teammates.

Hooker - Lewis Lord 

This comes off the back of news last week that hooker Lewis Lord had broken a bone in his foot playing against Distington.

Losing Chris - one of our most experienced players and Lewis in such a key position will really test the depth of the squad - we will need the other players in the team to really step up."