CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE
MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION FINAL
Saturday 9 May 2009
COVENTRY BEARS 26 – 34 GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS
The Gloucestershire Warriors got their season off to the perfect start with a nailbiting win over Coventry Bears in their opening Co-operative Rugby League Conference match.
It took a late Matt Hurdle try to seal the points after the Bears had staged a superb comeback from 28-4 down at the break to trail by just two points in the final few minutes of a compelling game.
The Bears had taken the lead against the run of play in the eighth minute after the Warriors had opened brightly when Richie Whitehouse regathered his own kick to score a good try and it seemed that the Bears would maintain their unbeaten record over the Warriors.
However, the Warriors stepped up and defended superbly, keeping the Bears out with some fierce goal-line defence. In attack, they made the breakthrough six minutes after going behind as Paul Scott scored out wide when the Warriors spun the ball from a penalty and outflanked the home defence.
The Bears hit back but Danny Davis snapped up a loose ball in his own 20-metre zone and raced away to score under the posts. He converted himself to give the Warriors a 10-4 lead.
The Bears worked hard to get into good position but too often made mistakes and an interception by Ross Gard saw the winger race away for the Warriors’ second long-distance strike to extend their lead.
Four minutes later, Pat Evans scored a similar try pouncing on a dropped ball close to the Warriors’ line and there was no catching him in a straight 70-metre race for the line.
Just before the break, Hurdle battered his way over for the Warriors’ fifth try of the half and Davis converted to give the visitors an incredible 28-4 lead as the sides turned round.
Whatever was said in the huddle seemed to work for the Bears and they came out firing. After seeing a try disallowed for a forward pass, Christian Briscoe scored from close range, Nathan Tilsley converting and the revival was on.
Andy Lucas then ran a good line to score and the pressure began to mount on the Warriors. The Bears’ big forwards began to make inroads as the Warriors dropped off tackles and squandered possession. Just past the hour mark Matt Cooper crossed and though Tilsley missed the conversion, the Bears were right back in the game 20-28 down.
The Warriors were struggling to put their sets of six together and with five minutes remaining, Tanaka Chaunukara forced his way over and Tilsley’s successful kick brought the Bears to within two of a remarkable comeback.
However, the Warriors managed to gain some field position with some much-needed penalties and after knocking on the door, Hurdle forced his way over for the winning score to earn the Warriors their first win over the Bears.
Teams:
COVENTRY BEARS: Dean Thompson, Andy Rowlands, Mark Timson, Tanaka Chaunukara, John Raby, Rich Whitehouse (Capt.), Nathan Tilsley, Stuart Major, Christian Briscoe, Ryan Jenkins, Matt Allsopp, Jake Hird, Matt Cooper. Replacements: Andy Lucas, Alan Robinson, Dan Hartley, Dean Rafferty.
Scorers: Tries; Rich Whitehouse (8), Christian Briscoe (47), Andy Lucas (53), Matt Cooper (62), Tanaka Chaunukara (76). Conversions; Nathan Tilsley 3 from 5.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Danny Davis, Ross Gard, James Day, Steve Barnes, Pat Evans, Stephan Fourie, Chris Furze, Gareth Casey, Neys Schreiner, Ken Stone, Paul Scott, Ronnie Haines (Capt.), Ben Constantine. Replacements: Tom James, Matt Hurdle, Ben Hough, Rich Mellor.
Scorers: Tries; Paul Scott (14), Danny Davis (22), Ross Gard (27), Pat Evans (31), Matt Hurdle (39, 79). Conversions; Danny Davis 5 from 6.
Referee: Wayne Parker (Widnes RLRS)
Man of the Match: Bears: Tanaka Chaunukara; Warriors: Stephan Fourie
Penalties: Bears 5, Warriors 6.
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-4, 4-10, 4-16, 4-22, 4-28, (HT), 10-28, 16-28, 20-28, 26-28, 26-34, (FT).
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Chris Wilson
Media Manager, Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC
Tel: +44 (0)1684 850903
Mobile: + 44 (0)7905 931033
Email: gloswarriors2004@aol.com
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The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
