Kingstone Press League 1 Preview: Coventry Bears v Keighley Cougars

Coventry Bears coach Tom Tsang was frustrated by his team’s last outing.

“It was a bit of a frustrating game last week,” he said.

“We are definitely improving and the performances we’re putting in have improved from the start of the season but it’s not being reflected in the results at the moment.

“Without a doubt we’re competing for longer in games and we’re giving ourselves opportunities. In the North Wales game we probably had the same amount of good field position and opportunities to score but the difference was we just lacked that cutting edge and weren’t clinical in the final third of the field whereas they were. They took every opportunity that came their way.

“We give ourselves chances but at times aren’t really sharp enough to make the most of them. In terms of overall team performance we’re definitely pushing on each week but we just need to make sure the individual errors don’t cost us too much in defence.

“When we went up to Keighley it was under different circumstances so it will be good to play them with the result in mind. They’re a tough team and are at the top of the league and deservedly so. I think the main thing for us is to stay positive and keep searching for those improvements week by week and doing the best we can.”

Keighley Cougars had a 44-14 win over Oxford last week. Coach Paul March said: “I didn’t think we showed them any respect at the start of the game and against sides like that you have to respect them and get into the game. That’s something we need to learn but I thought in the second half we put in a professional performance, especially in the conditions.

“It’s another tough one this week. They were part of the emotional day when we played our first game without Danny (Jones). That was a tough game to play in and they played their part and I’m sure they’ll play their part in this game as well so I’m expecting it to be tough. We need to go down there and do a professional job. If we do that then hopefully there’ll be only one outcome.”