CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIERSHIP, MIDLANDS DIVISION
Wednesday 16 July 2008
The Gloucestershire Warriors’ Co-operative Rugby League Conference Midlands Division campaign boils down to 80 minutes of action this weekend when they travel to Bedford Tigers looking for the win that will keep their play-off hopes alive.
Only a win will do for the Warriors but it will be difficult against a side that has performed well in its first season at this level.
Bedford began their campaign by rattling up a century of points in their opening game against Leicester and though the Phoenix earned revenge later in the campaign with a 38-30 win, the Tigers have only lost matches against the top two sides in the table and will face the Warriors after a confidence-boosting 44-8 win over Birmingham Bulldogs.
The game between the Warriors and the Tigers earlier in the season had to be cancelled after a slew of late withdrawals forced the Warriors to concede the game as well as the home advantage they would have had for this weekend’s clash.
A number of sides are feeling the pinch at this time of year with conflicting demands made on players and personnel testing almost to breaking point the strength in depth of clubs at this level of the game.
Warriors coach Tom James is looking forward to this fixture and is hopeful his side can get the points. “We have a good team out and I am looking forward to seeing how they go. It is a big game for us. We are certainly good enough to get into the play-offs, but we have to prove that on the field on Saturday”.
The Warriors are coming off a week’s break and it is a gap in the season that is a contentious issue. “There has been much said about having gap weekends in the past”, said Warriors chairman Chris Wilson. The one earlier in the season really halted our momentum and couldn’t have come at a worse time for us. It remains to be seen how this one will pan out. The situation was unavoidable this season with Somerset moving to the Regional competition but I hope we don’t have this scenario next year.”
Whatever the result this weekend, the Warriors are assured of at least fourth place in the table after their win over Derby a fortnight ago put four points between the sides. However, they are aiming for third and know how high the stakes are.
The Midlands Premier Minor Premiership could be decided this weekend when division leaders Nottingham Outlaws travel to Old Coventrians to face the Coventry Bears knowing that a win would secure top spot and a bye into the division Championship Final. With an unbeaten record to defend, the Outlaws will be confident as the Bears have not shown the form that took them to the Harry Jepson Trophy Final last season while they have been imperious winning all their games with something to spare on the scoreboard. With a 28-6 win over the Bears to their credit already, the Outlaws will be favourites but with their title possibly at stake, the Bears will fight tooth and nail to hang on to it.
Leicester Phoenix play their final league game of the season at home to Birmingham Bulldogs. With a single win to their credit, the Phoenix have had a disappointing season as have the Bulldogs whose play off challenge never really materialised. With nothing to play for, both sides should be free to play without pressure and show what they are capable of.
WARRIORS MILESTONES
Alan Bryan’s try against Derby City took his points total for the Warriors to 50. In 10 games for the club, he has scored 12 tries and kicked one goal.
Ben Constantine made his 25th appearance for the Warriors against Derby scoring his sixth try of the season.
BLOOMING SUCCESS IN UKRAINE
Hartpury College’s Ollie Bloom scored a try and kicked four goals in the GB Student Rugby League Chairman’s XIII 36-18 win over Ukraine in Kharkiv last weekend.
Played in 37 degree heat the game saw the hosts give their more experienced visitors, known as the Pioneers, a hard time before they were able to close out the game. Team Manager Gerard Keenan commented: “this was the toughest match the Pioneers have faced against a developing nation.”
The Pioneers, made up from student players from further education establishments of all four home nations, play a match in Riga, Latvia on their way home.
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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.
