Coventry Bears Into Play-Off

Last updated : 02 September 2012 By Coventry Bears

Many final encounters of a regular league season are formalities with no advantage to be gained from winning. Not so the Bears clash with Warrington Wizards on Saturday night at the Butts Park Arena.

Prior to the match, the Bears stood in third place immediately above Warrington in the National Conference League on points difference only. So a win from either side would secure third spot and the possibility of an easier elimination tie in the playoffs.

The match began with that seemingly on the minds of the two teams as the opening few minutes were nervy and attack and defence from both sides was tentative to say the least.

Warrington broke into the scoring first though after 10 minutes, taking better advantage of attacking opportunities. The Wizards using the width of the pitch well to create an overlap for Mike Stout to dummy the Bears defence and go over for the try. Alan Reddecliff missed the conversion. 0–4 to the visitors.

The nervousness continued and the first half consisted of some good defence on both sides, but a lack of aggression in taking opportunities. Warrington created a lot of dropped ball, and the Bears failed to capitalise on the advantage of a dazzling sun in the Wizards faces.

The half was destined to fizzle out when the Bears gained consecutive penalties. The resulting field position was good, and a set play saw the ball spread to the left channel. Leigh Sanders fired a great cut-out pass to Tawanda Chipadza who raced into the corner to score. Steve Coleman missed the conversion making the score four points all on 37 minutes.

This breakthrough fired up the Bears squad despite having minutes left on the clock. Ashley Johnson made a blistering 40 metre run before being tackled. Steve Coleman followed, breaking the Wizards line 20 metres out, passing back to Johnson in support to finish what he had started. Coleman was good with the boot this time and the Bears took the first half spoils, going in 10–4 ahead at half time.

The second half improved in terms of commitment and aggression, but again neither side could break through or create that decisive attacking play. On 45 minutes, the Wizards made another knock on, these mistakes becoming more characteristic of the Cheshire side as the match progressed. From the field position, the Bears spread the ball left through the hands of Tom Tsang and Edward Lang before Ashley Johnson sent the hard working winger Chris Dixon in to score. 10–4 to the Bears.

Again a long period of testing and driving for position ensued with little result. On 55 minutes a punch in the tackle from Dan Crampton saw the Bears Alex Brown react, the short-lived fight resulted in a yellow card and bloody nose for Crampton and a red card for Brown.

Frustration set in, and on 60 minutes a penalty to the Bears gave Steve Coleman an easy chance at two points to stretch the lead. The Australian accurate with the boot taking the score to 16–4 to the Bears.

Another penalty followed on 78 minutes and again Coleman grabbed the two points easily, and with little time on the clock both sides knew this encounter had run its course.

With the Bears victorious and ending the regular season in third place, the club can be proud of a strong and successful season, and with a playoff tie against Nottingham Outlaws on the cards next weekend, there is still much to play for, with the lure of a Grand Final appearance driving the team on.

More details of the playoff match will be released shortly.

Full time score: Coventry Bears 18 – Warrington Wizards 4

Smart Detail man of the match: Steve Coleman

Bears squad:
1. Ashley Johnson, 2. Chris Dixon, 3. Edward Lang, 4. Tom Davies, 5. Tawanda Chipadza, 6. Jack Powley, 7. Scott Clendenning-Fenton, 8. Mike Venn, 9. Luke Srama, 10. Leigh Sanders, 11. Brad Massey, 12. Steve Coleman, 13. Alex Brown. Subs: 14. Tyrone Rowe, 15. Harry Kaufman, 16. Tom C Davies, 17. Tom Tsang