Bean signs off, but with a semi defeat

Boston Buccaneers' Midlands League Cup campaign faltered as they were firmly beaten 56-0 at Covenrty Dragons on Saturday.
Ryan Cuthbertson is halted just in front of the try line.Ryan Cuthbertson is halted just in front of the try line.
Ryan Cuthbertson is halted just in front of the try line.

Despite welcoming back captain Marc Miles and prop Mattie Ashton, player unavailability and last-minute drop outs made coach Mark Bean’s match preparation challenging for his final game in charge.

The well drilled Coventry team wasted no time in showing why they had topped the table in Midlands Premier (South). Gaps in the Buccaneers defensive line were exploited by the Dragons who were on the score sheet with their first possession.

This was to set the pattern for most of the semi-final, with an under-strength and tiring Buccaneers squad having to defend for most of the game.

Despite heroic defending by Will Scupham, Liam Croker and James Andrews a Dragons victory was never in doubt.

Full credit must go to the Buccaneers who against the odds stuck to their task - only great goal line defending by the Dragons prevented them from crossing the line.

Although the game was largely one sided there were flashes of skill from the Buccaneers with wingers Jaron Cowern and George Baldwin making some great yards supported by man of the match James Andrews.

Scupham, Ryan Cuthbertson and Ashton dug out the hard yards up the middle of the park but the Dragons defence proved too strong.

Things did not improve in the second half when injuries started to take their toll.

Injuries to Miles, Cuthbertson and Coley and stand off John Stanfield all added to the team’s woes.

Mark Bean will now move on to pastures new, with former captain Jim Dearing taking the reigns as head coach.

BUCCANEERS: Miles, Scupham, Piggins, G. Baldwin, M. Baldwin, Laidlaw, J. Stanfield, Croker, J.W. Stanfield, Ashton, J. Andrews, T. Andrews, Wells, Coley, Cuthbertson, Kippax, Cowern.

Ryan Cuthbertson is halted just in front of the try line.