Redditch Ravens 38

Coventry Bears 22

REDDITCH Ravens bounced back in style from their recent heavy defeats to record a deserved win against the Coventry Bears.

Playing in stifling conditions, the Ravens started confidently with Paul Moffat bursting through to score under the posts after only six minutes, Andy McGrann converting.

Both sides had chances to add to the scoreline over the next 20 minutes but the defences held firm. Eventually it was the Bears who broke through on the half hour but Redditch immediately hit back when wing Lee Cross danced his way through the mesmerised opposition to score with McGrann adding the extra two points.

The heat began to take its toll on the players and Coventry came back into the match with a converted try to take advantage of a number of missed tackles. The Ravens continued to attack and an excellent 40-metre break from hooker Aaron Cooke put loose forward John Grafton over only for the visitors to hit back once again with a converted try just before the break as Redditch's half-time lead was cut to 16-12.

The Ravens started the second period strongly with a score straight from the restart when Redditch wing Ed Learna pounced on a mistake to race 80 metres through a number of attempted tackles to score under the posts. McGrann added the conversion.

Redditch sealed the win with a three-try blitz in 10 minutes. With man of the match Mark Henderson opening great holes in the Bears defence, Learna grabbed his second of the match before Johnson powered over from close in and centre Tom Soloman weaved his way over from 30 metres. McGrann kicked two of the conversions and although the Bears rallied with two late tries, the Ravens were good value.

The Ravens visit Plymouth at the weekend.