CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIERSHIP, MIDLANDS DIVISION
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Despite their 68-6 drubbing at the hands of Nottingham Outlaws last weekend, the Gloucestershire Warriors are still in the race for the play offs thanks to this weekend’s opponents in the Co-operative rugby league conference midlands premier division: Leicester Phoenix.
After struggling all season, the Phoenix fielded a strong side to defeat one of the Warriors’ closest challengers Bedford Tigers 38-30 last weekend and that result, coupled with Derby City’s loss at home to Birmingham Bulldogs ensures that, though the Warriors slipped to fifth place in the table, they are very much alive in the race for third place and the play-offs.
However, all that good fortune will come to nothing if they don’t do the business at Chosen Hill this weekend. With the Phoenix on a high, this will be a tricky game for the Warriors as coach Tom James says: “We need to take Leicester seriously this weekend. They showed against us in the first half at their place that they were a dangerous side and last weekend’s result proves the capabilities they have. But if we concentrate on defending well and get our forwards taking them on, then I know we can get the points.”
The equation is simple. To make the play-offs, the Warriors must win all their matches and hope that Bedford and Derby slip up against the top two sides in the table – Nottingham and Coventry Bears. With both Bedford and Derby still to play as well as a visit from the Bears to look forward to, the Warriors still have much to play for.
Their recent record over the Phoenix brings some comfort as they won 36-14 at Chosen Hill last season while a second half points avalanche brought them their best result of the campaign with a 52-4 win in Leicester in their last meeting in May.
Indeed, the Warriors have won their last seven meetings with the Phoenix as they recorded a fine 44-12 away win last year following on from league doubles in 1999 and 2000.
It could be another big weekend as the Warriors will be keen to receive word of results elsewhere as Derby City host Nottingham and Bedford entertain Coventry in this weekend’s other matches. Wins for the top two will aid the Warriors’ cause immeasurably but only if they record a win themselves.
The match at Chosen Hill kicks off at 2.30pm and the referee is Steve Hogan.
WARRIORS MILESTONES
Kevin Locke kicked his first goal for the Warriors at Nottingham last weekend, while Daniel Venn crossed for a debut try.
The 68-6 loss was the Warriors’ heaviest since a 68-6 defeat by Somerset Vikings in May 2005.
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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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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.
