Beddows and Aldred commit

Beddows and Aldred Committ for 2017

The Bears pack grows as two more props commit for next season. Tom Tsang gives us he thoughts on the latest players to put pen to paper.

Alex Beddows

Alex is already one of the Bears’ greatest success stories – he joined us in 2014 from a local Rugby Union club and immediately showed huge potential with good basic skills and RL instincts. 2016 has been a breakout year for Alex – he has really taken on board all the things we have been throwing at him and following a huge game against Keighley at the Ricoh Arena, he has started the majority of games for us and not taken a backward step against some of the best props in the league. This increased playing time has accelerated his progress, but it is down to his own hard work and persistence that he is starting to see the improvements in his game. I am expecting another uptick in performance in 2017 when he has the chance to establish himself as one of the best young props in the league.

Alex said; It's great to be with the Bears again, the club has made massive strides this season, I can't wait to see what we can do in 2017.

John Aldred

I’m very happy to be able to reward John with a new contract for 2017. He has been involved with the club since before we joined League 1 and although he hasn’t had as many opportunities as other players, his attitude, professionalism and effort is without doubt one of the best in the club. His improvement as a front rower in the last two years is remarkable and he has shown glimpses of power and athleticism that prove his enormous potential. I expect John to carry on learning and improving and he should be regularly pushing for a spot in the game day 17.

John said; I have enjoyed this year immensely, the environment provided by the club has allowed me to flourish as a player since first getting involved from Coventry University. I am looking forward to pre-season already.

Player Sponsorship Available

To sponsor any player for the 2017 season please email alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk for details

Props extend contracts for 2017

Jack Morrison and James Geurtjens extend contracts for 2017

The club has re-signed two of the most influential players both on and off the field. Prop forwards Jack Morrison and James Geurtjens.

Head coach Tom Tsang commented:

I’m really happy to be able to retain James and Jack for next year. Every Rugby League side needs strength in the prop position to be able to match the opposition in the middle of the field. In these two players I strongly believe we have two of the best props in the division who have regularly given us great go forward this last season.

Jack Morrison:

Jack is a firm fans favourite and is a key retention for us. He is a strong, direct runner who is difficult to tackle and has caused our opponents trouble every game since he joined us two seasons ago. He is also sneakily skilful and can offload as well as pass before the line. He has continued to impress in his second season and I believe his re-signing is a big statement.

James Geurtjens:

Gurcho is a big personality within the team – he was our first signing in our first year in 2015 and has played a big part in our improvements this year. He is another strong, direct runner and leads our pack by example. Off the field he really brings the group together and to have him for a third year will really help our consistency going into 2017.

James Geurtjens

James Geurtjens said:

It wasnt a hard decision to re-sign with the Bears, iv really enjoyed the last couple of years. I feel we are growing on and off the pitch year by year and cant wait to see what next season can bring.

Jack Morrison

Jack Morrison said:

When Alan and Tom contacted me again about signing again for next season it was a no brainer, what we have achieved this season with a great set of lads is amazing for all involved and I'm very keen to be part of it again.

Every minute down here has been very enjoyable, so extending for another year was a very easy decision. The club as a whole has made massive impacts on and off the field and to be part of that and what is yet to come is brilliant.

I'm really looking forward to next season with the Bears.

Player Sponsorship Available

To sponsor any player for the 2017 season please email alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk for details

Bears down Stags

Coventry Bears 22 Hemel Stags 12

Saturday 10th September, 2.30pm, Pennie Way, Hemel Hempstead

The Bears downed Hemel in the final game of the season on Saturday to end the season on a high. The game was of a poor standard in the first half with many dropped balls on either side during heavy rain.

Scoring was opened when Jack Morrison went over from close, Joel James converted to take the score to 0-6.

The Stags hit back soon after after the Bears fumbled. 6-6.

The Bears fumbled yet again and Stags capitalised to take it to 12-6 however Jono Miliszewski didnt take long to even the score after a 40-20 by Joel James put him in off the scrum scoring under the sticks. 12-12.

Half time 12-12

The Bears started stronger in the second half but it still took 20 minutes to score as Jamahl Hunte scorched in out wide to nudge the Bears in front. 12-16.

Dan Price worked some magic to scamper over to score again late on to seal the win with Joel James converting.

Full Time score Stags 12 Bears 22.

TEAM:

TRAE O'SULLIVAN

HAYDEN FREEMAN

JOHN ALDRED

JAMES GEURTJENS

GRANT BEECHAM

CHRIS BARRATT (c)

JOE BATCHELOR

ALEX BEDDOWS

JAY LOBWEIN

JACK MORRISON

JOEL JAMES

DANNY PRICE

JASON BASS

JAMAHL HUNTE

JONO MILIZEWSKI

HARRY CHAPMAN

CHARLIE O'MARA

HEMEL STAGS PREVIEW

BEARS SEEKING TO FINISH ON A HIGH

Hemel Stags v Coventry Bears

Saturday 10th September

Pennine Way, Hemel Hempstead 2.30pm kick off

The Bears play Hemel Stags tomorrow in the final game of the season and will hope to finish the season with a flurry against their old rivals.

Bears Tom Tsang said;

It was a disappointing performance last week against newcastle. We went up there in good form but we were really slow out of the blocks and were never really in the game. This week against Hemel is a chance for us to finish the season on a high. It has been a great year for us with improvements from the last campaign and our first win against northern opposition. 

Coventry Bears 19 man Squad to face Hemel Stags this Saturday:

TRAE O'SULLIVAN

HAYDEN FREEMAN

JOHN ALDRED

ANDY UNSWORTH

JAMES GEURTJENS

GRANT BEECHAM

CHRIS BARRATT

JOE BATCHELOR

ALEX BEDDOWS

JAY LOBWEIN

JACK MORRISON

JOEL JAMES

DANNY PRICE

JASOB BASS

JAMAHL HUNTE

JONO MILIZEWSKI

HARRY CHAPMAN

CHARLIE O'MARA

RICHIE HUGHES

BEARS SEEKING SPONSORS

Would you like to partner with the Bears?

Welcome to the Coventry Bears as we launch our attack on the 2017 Kingstone Press League 1.  We have come a long way since we were founded in the City of Coventry in 1998 as an amateur Rugby League club.  Our story is one of honest endeavour,
respect and a desire to give back to our community.

Since our owner and managing director, Mr Alan Robinson, organised a bucket
collection to raise sufficient funds to purchase our first strip in 1998 we have had to work hard on behalf of ourselves and our city to rise through the amateur ranks to the semi-professional level we play at today in the Kingstone Press League 1.  We have had tough times and good times on our remarkable journey, spending 18 years as a leading light in amateur Rugby League circles before achieving our goal of bringing professional Rugby League to Coventry and the wider Warwickshire / West Midlands regions.

Before turning professional we have provided playing, coaching and volunteering
opportunities to over 2000 people and embedded ourselves in the heart of our great city’s sporting culture.  Since turning professional we have grown into an
organisation that employs over 40 people through our playing department, community
interest company and our dedicated band of match-day volunteers.  Our 7 community
coaches deliver sport, health and wellbeing sessions throughout the year to local
primary schools and 2016 saw us launch our free community fitness
initiative, Bears 5’s, in socially deprived areas of Coventry three nights a week.

We are a growing business, positively contributing to Coventry’s economy and we are run by people that live in Coventry, for the benefit of the people of Coventry.  We hope that you can join us and be a part of our exciting journey in our club, in our city as part of our community.

Can you help us find new sponsors? Are you looking to involve your company in an exciting sports club? Get in touch with us. Details can be found below.

Coventry Bears Club Sponsorship Overview Slides

Please have a look at our club overview and see what we have to offer.

2017 ROAR MEMBERSHIP LAUNCHED

JOIN THE ROAR!

We have now launched a new club membership scheme that we hope will build on this years successes and give our supporters and new potential fans a great value opportunity to become Coventry Bears members next season and enjoy professional rugby league.

You can read through our slides here for more information on what we have to offer with some details included from our Head coach Tom Tsang and club owner Alan Robinson.

We hope you will join us next season!

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PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO PURCHASE MEMBERSHIP WITH PAYPAL

Alternativley you can email debbie.watson@coventrybears.co.uk for alternative payment options

Thunder down Bears

Newcastle Thunder 46 Coventry Bears 10

Kingston Park, Saturday 3rd September, 5pm

Newcastle Thunder extended their Kingstone Press League 1 winning street against Coventry Bears on Saturday afternoon as a 46-10 win saw them make it nine games in a row unbeaten and confirm North Wales Crusaders as the opposition for the Shield final on September 18th.

The Bears had a mathematical chance of overhauling the Welsh side and book a return visit to the North East had they prevailed against Mick Mantelli’s side, but they failed to fire with mistakes proving to be Thunder’s main opponent on the day.

That gave the first half a Jekyll and Hyde appearance with Thunder looking sharp, precise and dangerous in phases, before giving way to lacklustre moments that stifled the building of momentum in their favour.

This was demonstrated perfectly in the opening quarter, with eight minutes of huff and puff then giving way to a six minute blitz with three tries scored thanks to great interplay between the Thunder men.

South Shields youngster Zach Clark got things under way after a flowing passing move put him in at the corner, before Lewis Young freed Peter Fox for a second two minutes later and Dan Parker was released by Benn Hardcastle in close corners.

The half back’s conversion attempts failed to find the target on all three occasions, leaving Coventry with a potential inroad and one they duly took on the half hour after plenty of endeavour failed to yield an extension to the hosts advantage.

Catching Thunder out in defence, Eddie Medforth was on hand to take a scoring pass and finish off Jamahl Hunte’s break from half way. But it only served to galvanise Thunder’s attempts with a quick-fire brace from Ben Thorburn, both converted by Hardcastle, allowing the home side to lead 24-6 at the break.

The pick of the day’s tries opened the second half with centre Ali Blair supporting a break from former England winger Fox and finish of a surging 50 meter effort to start a strong 20 minute spell for Mick Mantelli’s team.

With Hardcastle converting that and further tries from Aaron Teroi and Joe Brown by the hour mark, Thunder were threatening to close in on their record score but as in the first half, the momentum stalled in line with the arrival of heavy rain.

After a short range effort from the visitors through Jack Morrison took them into double figures, Thunder managed to have the last word in worsening conditions as Evan Simons ran in one of his trademark sniping scores from a play the ball close to the Bears line.

After missing out on the League 1 Super 8s by a solitary point back in July, the win allowed Thunder to achieve their self-set goal of reaching the Shield final undefeated and with a chance of lifting their first trophy since 2008.

Newcastle Thunder Squad

Tom Reduiger, Zach Clark, Ali Balir, Joe Brown, Peter Fox, Lewis Young, Benn Hardcastle, Vincent Rennie, Evan Simons, Rhys Clarke, Harry Aldous, Dan Parker, Lee Paterson, Aaron Teroi, Jason Payne, Sam Luckley, Ben Thorburn

Thunder Try Scorers – Clark (8) Fox (10) Parker (14) Thorburn (35, 38) Blair (41) Teroi (50) Brown (57) Simons (74)

Thunder Goal Scorers – Hardcastle (35, 38, 41, 50, 57)

Coventry Bears Squad

Charlie O’Mara, Jason Bass, Eddie Medforth, Jono Millzewski, Jamahl Hunte, Danny Price, Joel James, Alex Beddows, Jay Lobwein, Trea O’ Sullivam, Grant Beecham, Chris Barratt, Jack Morrison, Richie Hughes, James Geurtjens, Joe Batchelor, John Aldred.

Bears Try Scorers – Medforth (31)  Morrison (66)

Bears Goal Scorers – James (31)

Sin Bin – Richie Hughes (53)

Attendence – 456

Newcastle Thunder Preview

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 03

NEWCASTLE THUNDER V COVENTRY BEARS 5PM, KINGSTON PARK

The Bears head to Newcastle tomorrow for a pivotal fixture in their hunt for a League One Shield Final place when they take on a Thunder side who have already booked their place in the final.

Following recent victories over North Wales Crusaders and Gloucester All Golds the Bears head into the game in fine form and will be confident of challenging the shield leaders on their home turf. 

Speaking ahead of the game Head Coach Tom Tsang said: "Im really looking forward to the game against newcastle. They have been playing great since the shield phase of the competition. We had a competitive match earlier in the year, where i thought they deserved to win but we were unlucky with a couple of yellow cards in the second half which changed the game. It will be good to go up there and measure ourselves. We have been in good form ourselves and still have a mathematical chance of reaching the shield final, so we will be doing our best keep ourselves in contention."

Bears Squad From:

Alex Beddows

Andy Unsworth

Charlie O'Mara

Chris Barratt

Danny Price

Eddie Medforth

Grant Beecham

Hayden Freeman

Jack Morrison

Jamahl Hunte

James Geurtjens

Jason Bass

Jay Lobwein

Joe Batchelor

Joel James

John Aldred

Jono Miliszewski

Richie Hughes

Trae O'Sullivan

BEARS SHOW CLASS TO DEFEAT ALL GOLDS

COVENTRY BEARS 33

GLOUCTERSHIRE ALL GOLDS 20

Report by James Oddy

Picture by David George

Coventry’s last home game of the season, played under beautiful late summer conditions, was a fitting end to their home campaign as they produced some stunning rugby. Wearing away colours or red and black, they got off to a flyer with a try by Hayden Freeman after the All Golds allowed a high bomb by Danny price to bounce, Jay Lowbein regathering and shipping it out wide.

The All Golds almost struck back as they broke via Brad Kislinberg who released Kadeem Williams, but the wingman was bundled into touch. The All Golds, after two penalties, challenged the Bears line, but it again came to nothing. A knock on from the home side and another penalty led to Jack Mitchell squirming over under the sticks after the ball had gone to ground to finally get All visitors off the mark.

The game then settled down as both teams ran and tackled hard. The Bears eventually worked themselves into some field position, and, from 5 meters out, Price stepped and dummied passed four All Golds defenders to cross.

The Bears were in again, after Joel James, who was increasingly taking charge, broke down the left channel to release Jamal Hunte, the wing showed searing pace to round Jack Oren. The home side then turned on the style, Lowbein, after receiving an offload from Jason Bass, chipping over Phill Cowburn to go in under the sticks. A penalty for offside on the hooter was then slotted over by James to send the home side in happy.

The All Golds clearly regrouped at half time, the impressive Steve Parry scooting from dummy half through some terrible defence to put them back in with a shout. Parry then nearly added to it, going from dummy half again but being held up. Coventry then seemed to wake up, jack Morrison blasting his way up field, and after a penalty as he was held down; the ball was worked out to Bass to go over in the corner.  

The game see sawed again, the Bears making repeated errors, allowing Josh Allison to release Oren to just dive other in the corner. The Bears again dropped the ball in the tackle, All Golds spreading the ball wide to put in Williams, via Micthell and Hyde.

The Bears were flagging, but a knock when fielding a kick from Oren turned the tables, Dan Price slotting over a drop goal to put the game to bed. Price then added a try after James grubberd delicately behind the onrushing All Golds defence. 

It was a brilliant result for the Bears as they continued to be in the reckoning for the League one shield, despite having a number of key players missing. Head coach Tom Tsang was pleased with what he saw.

“Im not sure which I’m more pleased about: beating Crusaders last week or winning today.” He commented after the match. “ At any point in the season, playing the All Golds at home is the biggest game of the year for us. They are our local rivals and there are a number of players who have now played for both clubs. We are both clubs waving the flag for RL outside the heartlands and to have a rivalry like this is great for the game. Today we had to make some significant changes with 6 first team regulars missing, including Matt Reid, Eddie Medforth and Charlie Omara our three top try scorers and Richie Hughes our captain, so it was always going to be a tough ask to get the win. But the guys in the 17 all stepped up and everyone today contributed to a great victory. I thought our discipline at times was poor and we allowed All Golds more field position than they deserved but apart from that we were the better side throughout.”

BEARS

1 Jason Bass

2 Hayden Freeman

 3 Jono Milizewski

4 Grant Beecham

5 Jamahl Hunte

6 Danny Price

7 Joel James

8 Alex Beddows

9 Jay Lowbein

19 Trae O’Sullivan

18 Andy Unsworth

12 Chris Barratt (Capt)

10 Jack Morrison

Subs (all used)

25 Harry chapman

17 James Geurtjens

20 John Aldred

24 Dylan Bale

Tries: Freeman (02)  Price (31, 75) Hunte (34) lowbein (37) Bass (54),

Goals:  James (4/6) field goal; Price (72)

Man of the Match DAN PRICE

ALL GOLDS

1 Phill Cowburn

2 Jack Oren

3 Josh Allison

4 Brad Kislingburg

5 Kadeem Williams

6 Jack Mitchell

7 Kieran Hyde

8 Ollie Purslow

9 Steve parry

10 Harrison Elliot

11 Emerson Whittel

12 Lewis Reece

13 Joe McClean

Subs

14 Luke Stephens

15 Richard Jones

16 Morgan Evans

17 James Waller

18 Jake Joynt

Tries:  Mitchell (16) Parry (44), Oren (59) Williams (66)

Goals: Hyde (2/3), Mitchell (0/1)

Penalty count: 9-7

Half-time:  22-6

Referee: J.Roberts

Attendance: 392

BEARS GAIN HISTORIC VICTORY

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 28 V COVENTRY BEARS 30

SUNDAY AUGUST 14TH CHESTER RUGBY CLUB

Coventry Bears picked up an historic victory at the weekend when they travelled north to Chester where they met North Wales Crusaders.

The last time the two sides met they played out a thrilling 20 all draw at the same venue.

In what was a vital fixture for both sides in their bids to reach the League 1 Shield Final against Newcastle Thunder, the home side drew first blood when Welsh international Rob Massam barrelled over in the corner to put his side in front.

The Bears weren’t going to let the hosts get away from them and Grant Beecham piled over to level the scores.

Crusaders then responded in kind when Alex Thompson and Stephen Wild put them twelve points in front.

Despite this the Bears fought back and some enthusiastic kick chasing from Beecham lead to Joe Batchelor regaining his kick and touching down to bring his side to back within one score.

With the Bears within one score at the break, the scoreline was 18-12 to the Crusaders, they knew they were in with a chance of getting themselves back into the game.

They did just that when first Jay Lobwein burrowed over from the base of the ruck to level proceedings. Then returning winger Jamahl Hunte set the game alight with an impressive individual run which saw him cover almost 120 metres to touch down in the Crusaders corner.

The momentum of the game was constantly swinging and it swung again after Hunte’s try when Crusaders drove down the field and put Ryan Smith in from close range before extending their league before Harry Aaronson chased down a kick to make it 28-22.

Once more there would be a swing in momentum when Richie Hughes chipped through and touched down himself to once more level the game with just moments left.

Then came a chance to grab the win when with two minutes left the Bears were awarded a penalty 35 metres out.

Joel James stepped up and slotted over the penalty to give his side the narrowest of leads.

The Bears played out the final minutes to pick up their first ever win against Northern opposition and to put themselves back in the hunt for a spot in the League One Shield final.

Tom Tsang said:

"Its an amazing feeling to get this win today. When we drew with Crusaders earlier in the season we felt we could have done more. To come back up here and prove it is really satisfying. Its also our first win against northern opposition since we joined the league and really demonsrates the progress we are making despite the slip up last week. Our pack took it to Crusaders through the middle all day and we were good enough to take advantage of the opportunities we created for ourselves. There were some anxious moments at the end, but the lads fully deserved the result for all the effort they put in today and throughout the season. We host Gloucestershire next week and will obviously be wanting to back this win up."

Team:

Alex Beddows

Andy Unsworth

Charlie Omara

Chris Barratt

Eddie Medforth

Grant Beecham (Man of the Match)

Jack Morrison

Jamahl Hunte

James Geurtjens

Jason Bass

Jay Lobwein

Joe Batchelor

Joel James

Jono Miliszewski

Matt Reid

Richie Hughes (Captain)

Trae OSullivan

Liam Thompson

Next and last home game is this Sunday 21st August versus Gloucester All Golds at the Butts Park Arena 3pm kick off.