GOLDEN POINT AGONY FOR SUPER SONICS

Coventry Bears 24 v 20 Bristol Sonics (AET)

Cooperative RLC Midlands Premier Grand Final - Saturday 21 August 2010, Old Coventrians

A Coventry Bears try five minutes into 'golden point' extra time denied Bristol Sonics a first ever Cooperative Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier title after a nailbiting Grand Final at Old Coventrians.The Sonics, who entered the game as underdogs after finishing six points behind the Bears after this summer's league campaign, were left to rue missed chances after 85 minutes of end-to-end rugby.An excellent final built to a nailbiting crescendo as the Sonics fought back from a 16-6 halftime deficit to level and then came back again to lay siege to the Bears line at the end of the eighty minutes without quite finding the breakthrough.

The Sonics had slightly more of the possession in the first period and, with Man of the Match Dom Swann directing them from stand-off, produced some flowing rugby without reward. The Bears showed the grit and determination of true champions to edge a fine contest.

The opening score came in the fifteenth minute. After soaking up early Bears pressure, Bristol's forwards laid a platform for a scything attack down the left flank. Good work from full back James Gross gave loose forward Wayne Cochran space. He put Ross Bergin away for a good try converted calmly by Swann.

However, the Sonics made a mess of the restart and Coventry loose forward Luke Watts was first to Alex Brown’s pinpoint grubber kick to score. Glenn Burnside levelled matters with the conversion. The Bears then took the lead as Brown’s pass out wide found the defence stretched and Dan Wilding scored an unconverted try.

The impressive Cochran then wasted a two-man overlap when he was tackled in possession almost on the Bears line and the home side took full advantage of their escape, Nick Thatcher ghosting through the line to race away and score from inside his own half. Burnside’s goal gave the Bears a 16-6 lead at the interval. The scoreline was harsh on Bristol, who had produced the better rugby but, crucially, not converted their chances.

Last time the two sides met, Bristol produced a stunning second half comeback to edge a tight contest. Coach Karl Fearnley called on his troops to produce a similar performance at half time, and for much of the rest of the contest it looked like a similar upset could be on the cards.

Eight minutes into the second period, the scores were level as the Sonics roared back. First Dan Evans found nobody home when he scored from dummy half before Cochran's dummy fooled four defenders and he was able to stroll behind the posts. Swann’s goal tied the scores.

The Sonics had a scare when again they failed to deal with the restart but an error let them off the hook before Swann’s weaving run got him through the defence but Joel Keen collided with the referee and was unable to take the pass that would undoubtedly have earned the Sonics the lead. It was a controversial moment, and one that would ultimately cost the Sonics dear.

Thatcher then escaped a three-man tackle and Brown sneaked over from close range to edge the Bears in front with fifteen minutes left but Nathan Tilsley’s conversion drifted wide.

The Sonics were still in the game and they fought back hard. With the Bears’ discipline slipping, Swann gave Dan Wegrzyn just enough space to score in the corner and tie the scores once more. Wegrzyn's roaring celebration showed just how much this meant to the Sonics, who were now in the ascendency going into the final five minutes.

The Sonics dominated the final five minutes searching for the winning score but three great chances went begging and the game went into 'golden point' extra time.

Swann had the first chance to settle the game but his long-range field goal attempt fell agonisingly short. The Bears were then given a very kickable penalty but somehow Tilsley put the kick wide. However, from the next set, Barry McGuffog’s dummy half scoot on the last tackle, caught the Sonics’ defence out and Watts supported for the crucial score.

The result was hard on the Sonics but they made a sizeable contribution to a worthy final.

After the game, a disappointed Dom Swann said: "To lose the game the way we did was absolute agony. All 17 of our lads gave it their all today, and I'd argue we were the better side. In the end, we didn't take our chances and the Bears took theirs. It's disappointing, but it was a fantastic game that could of gone either way, and a credit to the sport of Rugby League."

Bristol Sonics Head Coach Karl Fearnley said: "I'm so proud of the way the lads played today. We lacked composure on a couple of occasions and maybe should have scored a couple more times in regular play. That said, I can fault the lads effort – they were a credit to the club and a credit to the city of Bristol. Congratulations to Coventry, and we wish them the best of luck in the national play-offs."

//  MATCH FACTS //

COVENTRY BEARS  24

T: Luke Watts 2 (18, 80 +5), Dan Wilding (23), Nick Thatcher (38), Alex Brown (65). G: Glenn Burnside 2 (from 3)

BRISTOL SONICS 20

T: Rpss Bergin (15), Dan Evans (43), Wayne Cochran (48), Dan Wegryzn (75). G: Dom Swann 2 (from 3)

Referee: Danny McNeice

Touch Judges: Mick Ryan, Marc Bazeley.

Man of the Match: Dom Swann (Bristol Sonics)

Penalties: Bears 10, Sonics 13.

Scoring sequence: 0-6, 6-6, 10-6, 16-6, (HT), 16-10, 16-16, 20-16, 20-20, (FT), 24-20 (ET).