COVENTRY Bears twice came from behind against Pilkington Recs to book a place in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup for the first time in their history.
The Bears sealed a 31-20 victory at Butts Park Arena to earn a trip to Super League side Widnes.
With barely five minutes gone, Chris Clayton powered over for St Helens visitors Pilks, but the conversion attempt hit the upright.
After an evenly matched period, Terence Riley forced his way over to extend Pilks’ lead and this time Danny Lynch added two more points, to put the visitors 10-0 in front.
The pendulum then began to swing towards Coventry with a series of attacks culminating in James Mason twisting his way over the try-line from close quarters and Ben Stead was successful with the conversion.
After 35 minutes Paul Emanuelli pulled another try back and Stead’s conversion put the Bears into a 12-10 lead.
Nine minutes into the second half, Bears were reduced to 12 men as Mason was sin-binned for fouling in the tackle.
The ensuing penalty was missed but Pilks’ Clayton went over for his second try soon with Lynch converting on this occasion.
But the Bears were galvanised into action as Hayden Freeman crossed over on the far left and Stead slotted a difficult conversion to restore the Bears’ lead at 18-16.
Jason Bass added to the lead, despite the efforts of three defenders to stop him over on the far left of the pitch, and once again Stead converted.
Pilks were definitely down but not yet out as Tom Chisholm pulled one back to bring them within four points of the Bears.
Then a great run by Dante Morley-Samuels set up Mason whose Sunday afternoon had seen him go from try scoring hero to sin-binned villain and back again.
The reliable Stead converted ending Pilks’ chance of another comeback.
Paul Emanuelli added a drop goal in the final two minutes to set the Bears on course to meet Widnes in the next round.
Bears return to action when they welcome Newcastle Thunder to the Butts Park Arena on Good Friday a Betfred League One fixture (3pm).
