CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIERSHIP, MIDLANDS DIVISION
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Gloucestershire Warriors return home to Chosen Hill for the first time in six weeks for what could be a make or break game with Birmingham Bulldogs.
The Warriors have lost their last three games while the Bulldogs have just one win in their six matches so far. A defeat for the Warriors could see them tumble to sixth place in the table and almost certainly out of the race for the play-offs.
The game marks the start of the second half of the season and the Warriors sit in fifth place in the table one place and two points ahead of the Bulldogs. A win for the away side could lift them above the Warriors a scenario Warriors coach Tom James is not willing to consider. “The Bulldogs are a tough side to beat but we did so at their place and I am confident we can do the double over them this week.”
“I was pleased with the way the side gelled at Coventry. Our structure in attack and defence was good and the guys showed plenty of spirit though we ran out of petrol a little at the end.”
“We need to show that again this weekend to get our season moving in the right direction.”
The Warriors’ record against the Bulldogs is not encouraging, however. In eight meetings, the Bulldogs have triumphed five times including a 28-24 win in the corresponding game last season that was played in Birmingham owing to a lack of water at the Chosen Hill club.
The Warriors have won the last two scheduled away games and a hat-trick from Stephan Fourie in Birmingham set them on their way to a 32-26 win in the opening week of the 2008 season.
Since then, the Warriors season has tailed off somewhat and this weekend’s game gives them a chance to get things moving in the right direction.
Kick off at Chosen Hill is 2.30pm and the referee is Melvin Bettridge.
WARRIORS MILESTONES
Tom Bozzard scored his first try for the Warriors against Coventry last week. The hooker has played 15 times, scoring his first points against Birmingham in round one when he kicked three goals. Bozzard kicked another three goals against Coventry to bring his points total for the club to 16.
Ben Constantine registered his fifth try of a productive season against the Bears. Prior to the 2008 campaign, the loose forward had registered three tries in 18 matches. His nap hand this summer have come in just five games.
The Warriors’ 48-28 defeat at Coventry ensured that the Bears remain unbeaten against the Warriors. In 2005 and 2006, the Warriors beat the Bears’ second team but have yet to taste victory against the senior side.
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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.
