CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIERSHIP, MIDLANDS DIVISION

Southern semi final

Bristol Sonics v Hainault Bulldogs (Kick off 2pm)
West London Sharks v Valley Cougars (Kick off 4pm)

Chosen Hill RFC, the home of the Gloucestershire Warriors hosts the southern semi finals of the Co-operative Rugby League Conference this Sunday, 24 August.

With places in the Grand Finals at stake, competition is sure to be fierce and especially so in the opening game of the day when the Bristol Sonics face the Hainault Bulldogs (kick off 2pm).

Both sides are making their debuts at this stage of the competition. For the Sonics, it caps a remarkable two years when they have twice secured the Midlands and South West division crown. In 2007, the honour came courtesy of a win at the home of Minor Premiers Burntwood Barbarians, while this season’s triumph has been in little doubt with the side under coaches Dom Swann and Karl Fearnley sweeping all before it in recording an almost perfect league campaign. Their only slip was a 24-24 draw at Coventry Bears in round four as they romped to the title.

Hainault’s journey has been no less spectacular with just a single defeat (18-16 to Greenwich Admirals) marring an incredible debut season for the Essex boys in the East division where they finished well clear of the field.

It is hard to assess who is the favourite. The Sonics have marginally the better record during the regular season but will be concerned that they have won the majority of their games comfortably while the Bulldogs are battle hardened by being in a competitive league.

The winner will be the side that takes its chances and retains its composure while under pressure.

The sides battling it out for a place in the Grand Final of the Harry Jepson Trophy could not be more contrasting. West London Sharks have been this way before having reached the Grand Final in 2004 and the semi final two years later while, having finally ended Bridgend Blue Bulls’ stranglehold on the Wales division, Valley Cougars make their first appearance in the last four.

The Sharks faced a huge battle to oust South London Storm last weekend, earning a 24-20 win in what has been described as one of the best games yet seen in the RLC, while, after finishing second in the table, the Cougars overcame equally tough odds to defeat league leaders Blackwood Bulldogs on their own patch by the more comfortable margin of 26-12.

The second match kicks off at 4pm.

Again, form is difficult to judge with the Sharks having the edge in match practice, having played more games than the Cougars. However, with the awarding of a Super League franchise to Celtic Crusaders, the Welsh game is on the crest of a wave and the Cougars could ride their way into the Final on the back of it.

Against that is the strength of the Southern Premier division, which has provided Grand Finalists in three of the last four years and the competition winner in the last two. With the games having to be settled on the day so, it would be no surprise to see extra time required to separate the teams in either game.

The Northern semi finals to be played on the same day in Rochdale feature Midlands Premier division champions Nottingham Outlaws taking on the Carlisle Centurions at 4pm and Moorends-Thorne Marauders meeting Bridlington Bulls at 2pm.

The Grand Finals will be played at Derby City’s Haslams ground on Sunday 7 September.

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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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