RUGBY LEAGUE: TOM Tsang failed to hide his delight after watching his Coventry Bears side record their first win of the season in the Kingstone Press League 1 at home to Oxford on Good Friday.
Despite Oxford coming into the crucial clash at the Butts Park Arena high in confidence having picked up two wins already this season, but they tasted a 40-28 defeat against a Coventry Bears side determined to make their home advantage count.
Bears got off to a shaky start as Oxford scored after just four minutes, but this was soon pulled back thanks to a couple of Coventry tries and Jamahl Hunte crossed just before half time to make the score 16-10.
The match was sealed two minutes into the second half when Richie Hughes scored from two yards out and the in-form Brad Delaney converted to make it 22-10.
Then in an amazing seven minute Blitz, the Bears scored three tries in succession and although Oxford did their best to make it a contest, there were jubilant scenes as the hooter blew for full time.
Reflecting on the win, Tsang told the Observer: “We’re all obviously delighted to have finally taken our first two league points of the season.
“Over the last month we have steadily improved our attacking play, but it has been our defensive resolve which has let us down.
“However, against Oxford we showed a real desire to get off the line and be aggressive. It was our energy and enthusiasm in this area that set the foundations for the win and that’s what I’m most pleased about.
“All 17 players played their part; Harry Chapman was excellent at fullback in only his second start for the first team, Billy Gaylor and Richie Hughes complimented each other brilliantly as they shared the hooking role, but it was the middle unit forwards Jack Morrison, Dan Gover, John Aldred, Alex Beddows, James Geurtjens and Zach Johnson who won the game with their direct running and hard hitting defence.
“The win will do wonders for our confidence and we can now hopefully build on that performance when we face Keighley.”
