Seventh time lucky for Warriors in the Bears’ den?
The twelfth season of summer rugby league gets underway this weekend with teams from across the country doing battle with the ultimate aim of lifting the Co-operative Rugby League Conference Premier title, the Harry Jepson Trophy.
Gloucestershire Warriors travel the short distance to Coventry to take on the favourites for the Midlands Premier crown Coventry Bears with the knowledge that Old Coventrians is not a ground they have enjoyed success at in the past.
Indeed, the Warriors record against the Bears’ first team makes grim reading with not a single win in the six meetings between the sides. The Warriors have always been competitive and often threatened to pull off a shock win but the Bears have come through on the day. That was especially true of the last meeting between the sides when a late Graham Healey penalty saw the Bears home 24-22.
"No team is unbeatable," says Warriors Chairman Chris Wilson. "We are going with confidence. Our pre-season has been pretty good and the mood in the camp is positive. We are certainly going to give it a real go."
Following several seasons of stability, the Bears have lost a number of key personnel to the Rugby League Conference National division and their coach, Ty Watson has moved across to Leicester Phoenix. However, they still have plenty of experience and also pace out wide and in loose forward Matt Cooper, they have the RLC’s Young Player of the Year last year.
"Cooper is an awesome player and still only a teenager," says Wilson. "I’m amazed he hasn’t been offered the opportunity to join the professional ranks."
The Warriors have plenty of competitive action under their belts already this season with a good showing in the Cheltenham 9s where they reached the semi finals of the All Golds Cup and a comfortable 66-4 win over Swindon St George last weekend.
"I was pleased with the performance last week against Swindon", said coach Tom James. "But we need to have continuity in our team selection this season. This is what the successful teams have. We have the talent to do well this year, if we can field a consistent side week in week out then we should be strong challengers for the title."
The game takes place at Old Coventrians RFC and kicks off at 2.30pm.
The newcomers to the Midlands Premier division have been given a tough start with SW & Midlands division champions, Bristol Sonics travelling to Birmingham Bulldogs in their opening fixture at the higher level.
The Sonics have built steadily over the past few years though a game with traditionally tough opponents will be a big test for them.
Also new to this division are Telford Raiders and Redditch Ravens. The Raiders travel to Derby City to face a side traditionally strong at home and will be looking to kick off what looks to be a challenging season for them with a good performance and the points. The new regime at Leicester Phoenix makes its debut at Redditch and Ty Watson will be looking to help his charges to their first win at the first time of asking.
The Warriors play at Chosen Hill FP RFC, Brookfield Road, Churchdown and kick offs are 2.30pm.
Warriors Fixtures 2009
9 May - Coventry Bears v Warriors
16 May - Warriors v Birmingham Bulldogs
23 May - Warriors v Redditch Ravens
30 May - Telford Raiders v Warriors
06 June - Warriors v Bristol Sonics
13 June - Derby City v Warriors
20 June - Warriors v Leicester Phoenix
27 June - Birmingham Bulldogs v Warriors
04 July - Warriors v Coventry Bears
11 July - Redditch Ravens v Warriors
18 July - Warriors v Telford Raiders
25 July - Bristol Sonics v Warriors
01 August - Warriors v Derby City
08 August - Leicester Phoenix v Warriors
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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.
