RUGBY LEAGUE: ‘WE MUST win on Friday’ – the words of Coventry Bears head coach Tom Tsang ahead of a crunch clash against Oxford.
The Bears have started the 2017 season with four consecutive defeats, the latest being a 44-12 loss away at Whitehaven, but they will be looking to get that first elusive win on Friday.
Last year Coventry beat Oxford twice both home and away and the two sides have already clashed this season, although that was in a warm-up cup game at Abingdon where Oxford narrowly edged the Bears 30-28.
“We are at home against a side we beat twice last year,” said Tsang. “But we are under no illusions that it will be easy – we will have to be at our best to get a result.
“Oxford need to be given a huge amount of praise for the way they have started the season beating a number of more fancied teams, not just us.
“The scoreline against Whitehaven really doesn’t tell the story of the game. For at least 60 minutes of the match we were our opposition’s equal, but again lapses in concentration while defending cost us.
“Whitehaven are a quality side having been relegated from championship last year and are looking for immediate promotion and they along with most other sides in the league will punish you for those errors.
“The match against Oxford kicks off at the Butts Park Arena at 3pm. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, youth tickets are £5 and children under 12 can enter for free.
