Coventry Bears Rugby League beat Nottingham Outlaws in a Rugby League Conference National Division game.
On a day of Midlands Magic where the City of Coventry staged a number of games at Warwick University and Butts Park Arena, Coventry Rugby League took on Nottingham Outlaws in the big game of the day at the Butts Park Arena.
A penalty on 2 minutes given against the Outlaws for a high tackle gave the Bears a 2 point start as the home side showed respect to their visitors.
Just 3 minutes later the Bears stretched their lead when Local Coventry centre Matt Cooper scooted over to score,.
With bragging rights at stake both sides strove to dominate and Nottingham would not lie down and indeed scored a try of their own on 15 minutes.
Coventry were awarded another penalty and from the free kick Bears winger Tanaka Chamunokara raced through the defence to score in the corner.
Play was held up for a lengthy period as Nottingham half back Michael Harrison was injured in a bruising tackle made by Bears newly signed Prop Ken Dowding. An ambulance was called and he was duly taken to hospital. Just before the break Loughborough University Student and top try scorer Si Perry hit a great line and went in near the posts, his power and pace just to much for the defence.
Half Time Coventry Bears 18 Nottingham Outlaws 4.
For the first 12 minutes at the start of the second half honours were even but the deadlock was broken when powerful Australian second rower Chad Grant forced his way over on the right side of the Outlaws defence.With the Bears threatening the visitors an unfortunate knock on allowed Nottingham pulled a try back for the Outlaws.
Chad Grant was proving elusive and once again powered his way over to take the game beyond the Outlaws.
When Coventry’s Si Perry scored his second of the afternoon the game was definitely over for the East Midlanders.
However, the Outlaws had the last say with a try by fullback Will Reeve.
Overall the Bears started to take control in the second half particularly when halfback Scott Clendenning-Fenton switched to hooker, the dynamic Australian really mixed up the attack and gave the Bears two new dynamic Prop signings Nigel Makaratti and Ken Dowding extra space to dominate, both men proving a real handful. Ex Southy Sydney Rabbitohs Australian player Stephen Coleman in a new role at Loose forward also gave the Bears focus with his accurate kicking which allowed the team to focus the defence in the right areas of the field, the Outlaws were pinned back every time making them work hard to fight their way out of their half draining their energy.
Bears Head Coach Alan Robinson gave his comments after the match:
I was pleased when we started to take control of the game alot of time was spent on our defence and organisation this week and that showed. We made some tactical changes also which paid off particularly at loose forward where Steve Colemans kicking game was very accurate,Chad Grant again played well our new signings also really proved themselves and stood out which was very encouraging. There will definatley be some headaches in selection this week as any number of players could have been awarded Man of the Match. After last weeks performance against Warrington we needed to sort ourselves out im glad the players have responded in the right manner and come up with a great result today. Next week will be a stern test away in Wales to Valley Cougars, ill be expecting the same efforts in preparation as last week.
Final Score
Coventry Bears 34 Nottingham Outlaws 14
Coventry team
Nick Thatcher, Andy McGrory, Matt Cooper, Rob Nichols, Tanaka Chamunokara, Tom Tsang, Scott Clendenning Fenton, Mike Venn, Rob Brown, Luke Watts, Chad Grant, Simon Perry, Stephen Coleman, Nigel Mukaratti, ,Ken Dowding, Harry Kaufman, Dan Poulton.
Coventry Tries
Chad Grant (2) Si Perry (2) Matt Cooper, Tanaka Chamunokara,
Penalty
Stephen Coleman
Conversions
Stephen Coleman (4)
Man of the Match
Coventry Scott Clendenning Fenton
Other Midlands Magic results - Bristol 32-24 Leicester, Northampton 22-10 Birmingham. Coventry Bears V RAF was postponed, Leamington 8-22 Nottingham Outlaws ACoventry Bears U18's 66-24 Birmingham Bulldogs U18's.