Gloucestershire Warriors’ eleventh season of summer rugby kicks off on Saturday 26 April with a visit to Birmingham Bulldogs.
The fixtures have been released and the Warriors’ second season in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier division looks to be just as challenging as the first when they finished a creditable third in the table behind Nottingham Outlaws and Coventry Bears.
This season, the club is ambitious enough to set its sights higher and go at least one better this season. “We were pleased with the way things went last season,” says Chairman Chris Wilson. “This year we are out to do better and get to the division final at least.”
Wilson reports that training has started well and there is a sense of excitement at the Chosen Hill based club. “There is a buzz about the club at the moment”, said Wilson. “We have recruited some real talent off the field and are putting together ambitious plans for the future.
The club has already been instrumental in establishing the Gloucestershire County Rugby League web site to capture all the game’s activities in the county.
On the field, the Warriors are up against a strong line up this season. Champions Coventry Bears defend their title and the Warriors will hope to be challenging along with Nottingham Outlaws who meet them in the first home game at Chosen Hill on Saturday 3 May.
Telford Raiders and Somerset Vikings have decided that their development would be best served by a season in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference Regional competition. The Vikings will add to the successful development taking place in the South West and Telford will increase the strength of the competitive Midlands division and be a challenge to title holders Bristol Sonics.
Replacing the Raiders will be the Bedford Tigers who finished runners up to Widnes Saints in the RLC Regional Grand Final last September.
Sadly, Somerset’s withdrawal came too late for the RLC to find a replacement and the Warriors, along with the other six teams in the division, will have two spare weekends in the season.
“It is disappointing not to be facing Somerset this year,” said Wilson. “But they are sure to be back stronger in the future for their decision.”
The fixture list for the Warriors has a lop-sided look about it but it could work in the club’s favour.
The first half of the season sees the Warriors play the bulk of their away games but that is balanced with a run of four successive home games in the final weeks of the campaign.
“Home advantage in the run in could be crucial,” Wilson explains. “If we have done the hard work on the road, then home advantage may be the difference between making the play-offs and not or having a home game or not,” he said.
The Warriors face Leicester, Birmingham, Coventry and Derby who all return to Chosen Hill during the run in while Bedford will be making their first visit.
The Round 6 encounter at the end of May will be the first time the Warriors have met the Tigers although the clubs have a connection in that former Warrior Dean Coleman played two seasons with the Tigers, earning their player of the year accolade in 2006.
Pre-season training continues at 6.30pm each and every Wednesday at Chosen Hill on Brookfield Road in preparation for an exciting season of summer rugby to come.
Warriors 2008 Fixtures
26 April, Birmingham Bulldogs, Away.
3 May, Nottingham Outlaws, Home.
10 May, Leicester Phoenix, Away.
17 May, Derby City, Away.
24 May, Gap Weekend
31 May, Bedford Tigers, Away.
7 June, Coventry Bears, Away.
14 June, Birmingham Bulldogs, Home.
21 June, Nottingham Outlaws, Away.
28 June, Leicester Phoenix, Home.
5 July, Derby City, Home.
12 July, Gap Weekend
19 July, Bedford Tigers, Home.
26 July, Coventry BEARS, Home.
Play-Offs
9 August, Qualifying Final
16 August, Division Championship Final
24 August, National Semi Final
30 August, Gap Weekend
7 September, National Grand Final
All HOME matches kick off at 2.30pm unless stated.
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Chris Wilson
Media Manager, Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC
Tel: +44 (0)1684 850903
Mobile: + 44 (0)7905 931033
Email: gloswarriors2004@aol.com
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L e a g u e
The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
