COVENTRY BEARS 14 SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 18

By Ian Golden at The Butts Arena

 

South Wales Scorpions gained their first win in the League 1 Shield after beating Coventry Bears 18-14 in a dramatic encounter in the Midlands.

 

In an almost repeat of the game earlier this season, but with the roles reversed, the Scorpions have done their Welsh friends North Wales Crusaders a favour with the win, the Wrexham-based side now having one foot in the League 1 Shield Final.

 

Coventry took the lead after just 80 seconds when, from their first set of the game, Jason Bass ran 50 metres to the line and Joel James converted.

 

Scorpions didn’t lie down and in the 13^th minute, Kyle Scrivens did well to create a chance for Ian Newbury who beat a few players to score in the corner. Paul Emanuelli’s conversion looked to have hit the post and come out but it trickled over the crossbar to level the scores.

 

The rest of the half was gritty with no real stand out chances. Penalties and scrums were the order of the day with both sides also defending well.

 

Only in the last five minutes did Coventry have a couple of real chances to score with Joe Batchelor being denied twice, first being tackled by Newbury forcing him into touch, then being told by the referee he hadn’t grounded properly.

 

However the referee gave Coventry a penalty for an infringement during the latter and James kicked from in front of the posts to give the home side a two point half-time lead.

 

Scorpions were first on the board in the second half when, following two penalties, Chris Vitalini crashed under the sticks and Emanuelli converted.

 

From the first set after kick-off, Scorpions scored again, Vitalini taking advantage of another Bears’ defensive lapse. Emanuelli easily converted and Scorpions were 18-8 up.

 

After winning two penalties, Coventry looked to hit back and were close. Joel James held up over the line after some more good work from the Scorpions’ backline. Jamie Murphy was also responsible for stopping a try after he pushed Matt Reid into touch.

 

Batchelor finally got his try in the 63^rd minute after going through a gap in the Scorpions’ defence, James converting to bring the score back to 18-14.

 

But Scorpions held on despite a barrage from the Coventry attack. Chris Barratt was closest for them being stopped centimetres from the line.

 

Scorpions looked for another try, Emanuelli kicking a 40-20 to set up an attack and a little bit more speed would have seen debutant Jake Thomas score what would have been a well-deserved try.

 

Emanuelli missed a last minute drop goal and Coventry won a penalty just seconds from time adding to the drama but Scorpions held on for a deserved win.

 

COVENTRY

1              Charlie O’Mara

2              Jono Milizewski

21           Eddie Medforth

4              Matt Reid

5              Jason Bass

6              Joe Batchelor

7              Joel James

8              Alex Beddows

25              Richie Hughes

10           Jack Morrison

11           Liam Thompson

12           Chris Barratt

13           Grant Beecham

SUBSTITUTES

9              Jay Lobwein

17           James Geurtjens

18           Andy Unsworth

19           Trae O’Sullivan

 

Tries: Bass (2), Batchelor (63)

Goals: James 3/3

 

SCORPIONS

15           Jordan Sheridan

2              Ian Newbury

3              Kyle Scrivens

22           Christiaan Roets

5              Jamie Stringer

30           Jamie Murphy

7              Paul Emanuelli

26           Alex Davidson

24           Zak Williams

26           Jamie I’Anson

25           Sion Jones

20           Anthony Symons

13           Chris Vitalini

SUBSTITUTES

14           Osian Phillips

1              Billy Gaylor

29           Jake Thomas

21           Scott Gregory

 

Tries: Newbury (13), Vitalini (50, 53)

Goals: Emanuelli 3/3

 

Referee: Michael Woodhead

Half-time: 8-6

Attendance: 497