RUGBY LEAGUE: COVENTRY Bears boss Tom Tsang said his side are ‘bruised but buoyant’ after tasting a heavy 50-14 defeat at home to Barrow in the Kingstone Press League One.
The Bears kick-started their home campaign against a powerful and physical Barrow side at the Butts Park Arena on Sunday.
Barrow took the lead after just five minutes and raced into an 18-point lead before the Bears registered their first points on the board when Hayden Freeman crossed and converted.
The deficit returned to 18 points at half-time and in the second half Barrow showed their class after the break and ran out comfortable winners.
“We have now in consecutive weeks played two of the three best sides in the league, and the lads did themselves proud, never giving in, and fighting until the end,” said Tsang.
“What is more they played well and were the equal of Barrow and Doncaster for long spells.
“In defeat, we showed improvement and our focus in training has been to build on our strengths such as our handling and passing
“We have no game this weekend which gives us time to recover from the battering we took, and then we focus on our defensive play prior to the game away at London Skolars.
“That’s a big game for us, winnable and could be what kickstarts a good season.”
Next up for the Bears is a trip to London Skolars March 25 and their next home game is against Oxford on Good Friday (April 14).
