With the wind making conditions for flowing rugby difficult, both sides found it hard to get the ball moving quickly, and after a scrappy first ten minutes the score remained 0-0. It was new boy Steve Worthington in at scrum-half who opened the scoring for Coventry as he jinked his way over from 15 yards. Newmarket responded quickly scoring twice in five minutes to take a 10-6 lead. As in previous weeks going behind really seemed to stir the Bears into action, Wayne Box scoring his first and second tries for Coventry as they started an unanswered five try blitz, one of which came from another Bears debutante, Cheimeka Eribenne when he scorched in from 60 yards. On the stroke of half-time however, Newmarket did manage to score making the interval score 34-16.

The second period started well for the Bears, Danny Malin going over to add to his 2 first half tries, in completing his hat-trick and with a successful afternoons’ kicking, Malin managed to equal James Cathcarts’ points record in a game for Coventry, 26, and would of beaten it if taken all the kicks. Alex Van Der Walt deservedly taking a kick beneath the posts, the South African again putting in a gritty, determined and skilful display. The game then ebbed and flowed, bears scoring through the impressive Francis Slater (2), Cheimeka Eribenne, rounded off a brilliant move. Ben Shepherd scored to take Coventry into a 60-24 lead, at this point the Coventry defence uncharacteristically went to sleep and Newmarket were rewarded for their persistence with two late tries an a drop-goal.

Coventry Bears face Great Britain students on Sunday (3pm at Coundon Rd). this promises to be an excellent encounter with fast rugby and bone crunching tackles guaranteed. At only £2 per adult and children going free, this is an occasion not to be missed.

Report by Chris Norman.