Rugby League Conference Midlands Round 11 Summary

Round 11 Summary - 5 July 2008

CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIERSHIP MIDLANDS DIVISION

With Nottingham Outlaws having the bye, the Coventry Bears took the opportunity to close to within two points of them with an 86-16 win over Leicester Phoenix at Aylestone St James. Loose forward Matt Cooper crossed for six tries as the Bears ran in 15 touchdowns and with stand in kicker Scott Clendenning-Fenton converting 13 of the scores the Phoenix were under the cosh from the moment Cooper opened the scoring in the first minute. Cooper had a hat-trick, Tanaka Chaunokara a double and the Bears a 30-0 lead before Carl Harris crossed for a try converted by Jamie Howe for the home side. Dean Thompson for the Bears and Jake Harmon for the Phoenix exchanged tries before Ben Powiss and Matt Allsopp gave the Bears a 46-10 lead at the break. The second half was more of the same for the Bears; John Nicholls, Cooper twice, Martin Jenkins and Clendenning-Fenton all crossing the line before Harmon grabbed his second as consolation for the Phoenix. Tom Watts and Cooper finished things off with late scores for the rampant Bears.

The Bedford Tigers got back to winning ways after two losses with a convincing 44-8 victory over the Birmingham Bulldogs. The Tigers started the game strongly with a try to Rob Ashton who added the first of his six conversions in difficult conditions. Birmingham replied quickly with a try to Ross Midgley but the Tigers extended their lead through Chris Aubury and player coach Sam Richbell. A two-try burst from the Tigers centre Zander Peden at the start of the second half effectively finished off the game and Graham Magill scored before Sam Woodward grabbed a consolation try for the Bulldogs. Richbell scored his second before Peden completed his hat trick and the Tigers