COVENTRY Bears slumped to another heavy defeat in the Kingstone Press League 1 after losing 58-16 at home to Rochdale Hornets, reports James Oddy.
The hosts started well but were soon behind when Rochdale’s Paul Crook set up Chris Riley for the opening try of the match.
The Bears were there own worst enemy soon after when they were penalised for an interference which resulted in Danny Yates slicing through from ten metres out.
Matt Reid almost found a breakthrough but he was held up by the Rochdale defence and from the resultant scrum Jay Lobwein knocked on.
The game became a solid arm wrestle for a period before the visitors began to rack up points. Chris Riley set up Danny Yates to score and Joe Taira went through a non-existent Coventry defence.
Coventry stemmed the tide but there was a worrying moment as the half come to a close as Ben Warillow to be stretchered off following a heavy tackle.
The second period began well for the Bears however it was the Hornets who scored again when Taira brushed off some more poor defending to cross for the third time.
Coventry hit back with Lowbein’s pass going to ground but, Reid showed good feet to step round the defence and touch down.
The game lulled for a while before Wayne English returned White’s kick with interest and he ran wide before releasing Corey Lee to race in.
The Bears then gave the home support something to cheer about as the game came to an end. After hammering the Hornets line, Richie Hughes burrowed over. But there was still time for Rochdale to hit back with Wayne English going over via Crook’s pass.
