As North Wales Crusaders face Coventry Bears on Saturday in their final pre-season outing, we take a look at some of the memorable matches between the two sides over the years.
Crusaders have come head-to-head with Coventry in League 1 every season since 2015, when the Bears switched from amateur to professional.
Coventry 4-50 Crusaders – July 5, 2015
This was the first meeting between the two clubs and a Rob Massam hat-trick paved the way for a North Wales victory at the Butts Park Arena.
Karl Ashall and Jono Smith both bagged a double, while Sam Peat and Tommy Johnson, kicking seven goals, got one apiece in what turned out to be a comfortable success for Crusaders.
Crusaders 20-20 Coventry – July 3, 2016
There was little between the sides throughout the match as Crusaders held a narrow 10-8 lead at half-time.
The hosts thought they had the win in the bag, but Jack Morrison struck late on at Chester RUFC to earn Coventry a share of the spoils.
Luke Warburton, Stephen Wild, Phil Joseph and Johnson were North Wales’ try-scorers on the day.
Coventry 12-36 Crusaders – September 9, 2018
The Welsh side established a healthy 16-0 lead at half-time through Earl Hurst, Ashall and Kenny Baker tries, with Johnson kicking two goals.
Although Reece Rance pulled a try back for Coventry early in the second-half, North Wales went on to record a straightforward win as Baker, Aaron Moore, Gavin Conroy and Dale Bloomfield bagged further tries.
North Wales Crusaders take on Coventry Bears at Queensway Stadium at 1.30pm this Saturday. Tickets are priced at just £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and £2 U16s.
