A respite from non-stop rain marked the Bears respite from non-stop away matches as they commenced the BIG 3 run of home matches against Bristol Sonics at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday.
The Bears were without a couple of key players, notably high scoring Ross Bayston, but gave debuts to Jamaican international Tyrone Rowe, and Tom Davies.
Bristol, sitting at the foot of the National Conference League Division three were looking for their first win of the season, but from the kick off their chances looked slim. The Bears raced out of the blocks and on only four minutess some strong running from Steve Coleman saw him break the Bristol Sonics line from 40 metres and he showed great pace to score the try without the need for the numerous supporting players. Scott Clendenning-Fenton converted to give an early 6-0 lead.
The Bears continued at breakneck speed and on seven minutes, a quick passing move from right to left saw the Sonics defence stretched and a good offload from Mike Venn allowed Tobias Rochester-Bremner to score in the corner. The conversion missed by Scott Clendenning-Fenton leaving the score at 10-0.
Bristol Sonics struggled to deal with the kicking game of Clendenning-Fenton, a swirling high bomb dropped by the Sonics defender, giving the home side a scrum from ten metres out. The ball was then whipped out to Andy McGrory who showed great strength to force his way over. Steve Coleman converted and with the score at 16-0 after only ten minutes a rout was in the offing.
A brief period of respite saw the Sonics complete some sets and make yards, but on twenty four minutes, strong pressure from a Bears kick by Tawanda Chipadza resulted in the Bristol player knocking on and Andy McGrory capitalised on the error to score. The conversion missed by Steve Coleman taking the score to 20-0.
Only three minutes later, the Bears were in again. Bristol with another fumbled high bomb from Steve Coleman and Mark White regathered the ball to offload to Tanaka Chamunokara in support who scores. Scott Clenndenning-Fenton was good with the boot, 26-0 to the Bears.
On thirty minutes Bristol finally posted a score, forcing their way over the line from close range on the last tackle. The Bears responded in kind on thirty five minutes, when after a brilliant 50 metre run from Ashley Johnson, the Bears create a overlap against the struggling the Sonics defence to send in Mark White for a try. The conversion missed by Steve Coleman and the score moving to 30-4.
With half time looming, the Sonics managed to score, creating an overlap to go in at the corner. The conversion missed and the teams leaving the pitch at half time with a 30-8 scoreline.
Going into the second half, the Bears should have been confident of another points fest, but the players took their foot off the accelerator. On fifty one minutes, the Sonics completed a smooth passing move from right to left, and their full back touched down in the corner. The conversion missed and the score standing at 30-12.
The Bears came back once more and on sixty eight minutes, Ashley Johnson forced himself over from the play the ball from a metre out to score. Another missed conversion but the Bears remained in control.
Bears debutant Tyrone Rowe showed his potential on seventy two minutes, making an impressive 40 metre run and beating four players. From the play the ball 30 metres out Tom Tsang broke through the tiring Bristol defence to score. Tim Leishman stepped up to convert, taking the Bears to 40-12.
Credit must go to Bristol who were persistent throughout the second half, with two minutes of the match left they showed good strength to score under the posts from 10 metres out, converting to leave the full time score at 40-18 to the Coventry Bears.
All in all this was a positive performance from the Bears, giving them fourth place in the league, but coaches Tom Tsang and Mark Sloan will look to address the level of effort in the second half from the team as they build momentum towards making the play-offs.
The next match is the second BIG 3 game at the Butts Park Arena next Saturday versus South Wales Hornets. Kick off 2.30pm. Entry is only £5, concessions entry is only £3 and kids under 16 go free.
Final score Coventry Bears 40 – Bristol Sonics 18
Bears squad: 1. Ashley Johnson, 2. Tawanda Chipadza, 3. Andy McGrory, 4. Tanaka Chamunokara, 5. Tobias Rochester-Bremmer, 6. Tim Leishman, 7. Scott Clendenning-Fenton, 8. Michael Venn, 9. Luke Srama, 10. Rhidian Booth, 11. Brad Massey, 12. Elliot Hurst, 13. Steve Coleman, 14. Tom Tsang, 15. Tyrone Rowe, 16. Mark White, 17. Tom Davies
Smart Detail man of the match: Tyrone Rowe