Warriors wary of the Bulldogs’ bite
Basking in the glory of their first ever win over the Coventry Bears last week, the Gloucestershire Warriors open their home fixtures in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference against Birmingham Bulldogs this Saturday (kick off 2.30pm) with a warning ringing in their ears.
Warriors Chairman Chris Wilson says that last weekend’s victory counts for nothing and a win over the Bulldogs is essential to keep the momentum going. “The performance at Coventry was tremendous. We took our chances clinically in the first half and dug deep under severe pressure in the second.
“The players should be proud of their achievements but they will mean nothing if we don’t follow it up with a win over the Bulldogs”.
The Bulldogs also won their opening game last weekend, defeating Bristol Sonics 30-10 and matches between the Warriors and the Bulldogs have been high-scoring but close run affairs in the recent past.
Indeed, three of the last four meetings have finished with six points or fewer between the sides and Wilson is predicting a similar outcome this weekend. “The Bulldogs are likely to be at full-strength. They are a big side, well-organised and have some good players. They defend aggressively and we will need to be ready to be strong and have the commitment to match them”.
The Warriors will be hoping to make Chosen Hill a stronghold this summer and they have a good record since moving up to the Premier division in 2007. In 12 matches played, they have lost just three times, twice to Coventry and once to Nottingham.
Last season, the Bulldogs were defeated 42-38 in a classic end-to-end affair at Chosen Hill. However, in 2007, the game was switched to Birmingham owing to the lack of water at the Chosen Hill clubhouse following the disastrous floods that summer and the Bulldogs made the most of home advantage to scrape home 28-24.
Even after a single round of matches, the division is already looking to be a tight and competitive contest. With Coventry rebuilding, and sides with the potential of Bristol Sonics, Derby City and Birmingham, as well as the Warriors in the mix, the destination of the division crown is very much up for grabs.
The Warriors will be on their guard as to the threat that the Bulldogs pose but having made the perfect start, they will be confident of continuing their winning run.
The Warriors play at Chosen Hill FP RFC, Brookfield Road, Churchdown and kick offs are 2.30pm.
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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.
