HEAD coach Richie Squires expressed his disappointment at Coventry Bears’ decision- making and lack of accountability on the field in Sunday’s 32-16 home defeat to North Wales Crusaders.
After a one-sided first half, the visitors led 22-4 at the break and the Bears were left battling to claw back the deficit after the interval.
While scores from Kieran Hudson and Harry Kaufman – both converted by Dan Coates – added to Hayden Freeman’s unconverted first-half try and helped Coventry make partial amends for the disheartening opening period, it was still not enough to pose real questions of the assured Crusaders.
Addressing the contrasting halves, Squires pointed to the loss of the midfield battle as another area in which the Butts Park Arena hosts ultimately fell short.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t turn up for the first 20 minutes,” said the Coventry chief.
“By that time, Crusaders were already 22-4 up, we got completely outfought and the tempo of the game went in favour of them too.
“We couldn’t control the middle of the park and we just didn’t finish the end of our sets where we wanted to.
“When we did get into the swing of things, we gained some momentum and did start to control the game.
“But a lack of inexperience and poor decisions meant that we were back to square one.
“We really missed some leaders on the pitch and hopefully we will them back in the squad for Keighley Cougars this weekend.”
Coventry will aiming to build upon their ranking of eighth, against a fifth-placed Cougars side that have won as many as they have lost (six) in a mixed campaign when they meet in Yorkshire on Sunday.
