The Bears had their work cut out in the North West. Picture by Steve Miller.
HEAD coach Richie Squires lamented his Coventry Bears side for giving themselves a mountain to climb, in their 40-12 Betfred League One defeat at Barrow Raiders last weekend.
The Bears had it all to do at Craven Park after a slow start proved costly, perhaps due to the weariness accumulated during the lengthy drive to Cumbria, when conceding three early tries to trail 18-0.
And despite pulling the score back to 24-12 at the break through Dan Coates and Matty Welham scores – both of which were converted by the former – league leaders Barrow showed their class to put the game beyond doubt.
Referencing Coventry’s previous outing, Squires said: “Unfortunately it was the polar opposite to Keighley [a 24-12 victory] the previous Friday night.
“We didn’t do the little things right in the first 15 minutes, and it gifted the most talented team in the league an 18-0 lead – the same as the home game.
“After 20 minutes, we eventually got a foothold in the game and competed set for set.
“And after 55 minutes, it was still 24-12, so it was a case of who scored next would win the game.
“Unfortunately, we forced our hand and the match then got away from us, so it was a very disappointing performance compared to where we have been lately.”
Sitting in eighth, the Bears visit London Skolars, ninth, on Saturday.
