The Bears defence held firm for the first 17 minutes but it was an attacking kick that broke the deadlock as Oldham centre Sam Gee collected a Lewis Palfrey cross field kick to score wide on the left. The try was not converted but the Roughyeds were off to a start at 4-0.

Soon after this the Bears were under pressure once more and after giving a penalty away on the 5th tackle, for a late shoulder charge, Oldham had pressure on the line and Jarrod Ward scored a try out wide. Again the try was not converted but it was 8-0.

On the half hour mark, some strong runs and skilled footwork generated quick ball play where Oldham centre George Tyson took charge of the ball, wide, and stepped inside the covering defence. The try was converted by Palfrey to take it to 14-0.

Two more trys were scored by Oldham before halftime as Liam Thompson and Michael Ward both went over as the Oldham pack dominated the middle of the park. Palfrey converted to take the score to 26-0 at halftime.

Halftime score: Oldham Roughyeds 26 Coventry Bears 0

The second half kicked off with the Bears determined to get back into the game and it was Matt Cooper who powered over under the posts through a number of defenders to score. The try was converted by Stephen Coleman and the Bears were on the scoreboard.

But the Roughyeds were not finished and after 3 repeat sets in the Bears half, a strong Bears defence was cracked by a wide shift play which lead to a try in the corner by Adam Clay to take the score to 30-6. Try was not converted.

With 13 minutes now gone in the second half, Mick Learmonth scored after a Lewis Palfery chip kick which caught out the Bears cover defence taking the score to 36-6.

The Bears then kicked the ball out on the full and from the resulting set Oldham build pressure well and after defending 3 intense back to back sets and giving away another penalty, Jack Holmes scored on the right but was not converted. 40-6.

Unfortunately for the Bears another mistake at kick off led to Oldham running hard up the middle and after a quick shift wide to the right Oldham winger Adam Clay scored rounding off an impressive display from the Roughyeds. Lewis Palfery kicked the conversion to round off a man of the match performance.

Fulltime score: Oldham Roughyeds 46 Coventry Bears 6

Bears Billy Sheen in action. (by David Murgatroyd)

Bears Man of the match was named as Matt Cooper for his strong ball carrying and scoring the Bears only try.

Coventry Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang commented:

I thought similar to last week we went for long periods where we matched Oldham set for set, but any little mistake we made they made us pay. They have a very strong pack who all know their role very well. I’m disappointed though as we didn’t help ourselves with our discipline and although Oldham deserved the win, at times we made it easy for them with sloppy unforced errors. We now have a few weeks off before the start of the league so will be working hard to make sure we learn from the last two games against a very good side.

Bears team:

1. Billy Sheen 2. Troy Brophy 3. Stephen Coleman 4. Edward Medforth 5. Jamahl Hunte 6. Dan Poulton 7.Simon Phillips 8.James Geurtjens 9.Alex Brown 10.John Aldred 11.Liam Thompson 12.Chris Barratt 13.Alex Calvert 14. Ben Tyers 15. Matt Cooper 16. Nick Taylor

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Bears Managing Director and Head Coach, Alan Robinson and Tom Tsang, with Bradford bulls Managing Director and Head Coach,Steve Ferres and James Lowes

BRADFORD BULLS are delighted to announce the launch of a partnership with the UK’s newest professional side Coventry Bears.

The agreement will allow members of James Lowes’ squad to appear for the Kingstone Press League One outfit throughout the course of 2015 via dual-registration.

And the two clubs are to work together on a commercial basis, with Bulls officials aiding the Midlands outfit’s development following their arrival in rugby league’s professional ranks.

Founded in 1998, the Bears, who play out of Butts Park Arena, were crowned RLC Western Division champions in 2000 and have since gone on to claim a host of other awards.

Coventry were granted permission to join the National Conference League two years ago and last summer were told they would be competing in the sport’s third tier in 2015.

Bulls managing director Steve Ferres said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Bears for the coming season.

“These are exciting times for both clubs and we want to help Coventry adapt to  life outside of the community  game.

“The club has been working extremely hard during the past two seasons, both commercially and in terms of recruitment, and we will aid that in any way we can.

“They will have access to some of our players, which will prove mutually beneficial, and we look forward to seeing how the partnership develops.”

“It has been fantastic for us to strike up a relationship with the Bulls, a club I have admired for many years,” added Ferres’ Bears opposite Alan Robinson.

“I have begun to develop a great relationship with both Steve Ferres and Marc Green off the field while Tom Tsang, our head coach, has been working with James Lowes on it.

“There is already great synergy between our clubs. This is not only a dual-registration partnership but a business one also.

“We hope to take every opportunity to grow and build our club alongside the Bulls.

“This is a new era for rugby league and I feel this sort of opportunity is a milestone in our club’s development in the sport.”

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