South Wales Scorpions travel to Coventry Bears in the final regular Kingstone Press League 1 match of the season this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Scorpions could still finish in 13th place in the initial 15 team league but the Bears are assured of 11th in the final table.
But with all points earned being carried through to the League 1 Shield competition, it’s important for both clubs to earn a win and to keep up the charge for the end of season semi-finals.
There are four potential changes to the team who took on Newcastle Thunder last week with Ian Newbury, Jordan Sheridan and Barrie Phillips both out injured, with Richard Jones returning to the All Golds side this week for their game at Oxford.
Replacing them in the extended 19-man squad are Ethan Coombes, Jake Thomas, Rhys Gant and Ben Jones, all of whom were excellent in last week’s reserve win over Scotland under 19s, and Luke Nelmes, who once again is on dual registration from Halifax.
Coventry Bears picked up their first-ever point in the professional game against northern-based opposition last weekend as they draw 20-all at North Wales Crusaders.
Reflecting on the match, Bears Coach Tom Tsang said: “(The result) is further proof of our progression this year – we lost by 40 points to the same side 12 months ago.
“To come back from 20-8 down was fantastic to see and we definitely could have won the game.
“We will take a lot of confidence from this going into the South Wales match and the next part of the season.
“If we get the win (on Saturday), we will set our sights on the League 1 Shield.”
Visitors South Wales still sit second from bottom on the League 1 ladder, but encouraging displays against Hunslet Hawks and Newcastle Thunder in recent weeks have given reason for optimism.
Coach Phil Carleton said: “Results in the last few weeks haven’t been what we’ve wanted, but there have been vast improvements. We are going in the right direction.”
| FIRST TEAM SQUAD | SPONSOR | |
| 1 Ben Jones | United Konsultants Ltd | @Benjones0123 |
| 3 Kyle Scrivens | Body Balance Sports and Hollistic Therapies | @scriv15 |
| 7 Paul Emanuelli | Sian Golden Translation and HG Landscapes Ltd | @10PAULO |
| 10 Izaak Duffy | Duffy and Co Solicitors | @IzaakDuffy |
| 13 Chris Vitalini | www.ianlovell.com | C Vitalini |
| 14 Osian Phillips | 9-3 Change Management | @Osian_Phillips |
| 19 Kristian Baller | Mirmidon Ltd | @kballer1987 |
| 20 Anthony Symons | King Construction Consultants | A Symons |
| 21 Scott Gregory | Castle Health Ltd | @scottgregs12 |
| 22 Christiaan Roets | United Konsultants Ltd | @roetsy458 |
| 23. Ethan Coombes | Watts Truck & Van | @10Coombes |
| 25 Jake Thomas | Carter Lauren Construction | @jakewthomas6 |
| 26 Alex Davidson | On loan from All Golds | @AlexDavidson29 |
| 27 Courtney Davies | United Konsultants Ltd | @CourttDavies7 |
| 28 Sion Jones | Statstoner Cardiff | @Sionjon1997 |
| 30 Jamie Murphy | On loan from All Golds | @themurphyman |
| Rhys Gant | Partnership of Care | @RhysGant1 |
| Billy Gaylor | Dual reg with Halifax | @Billy97Gaylor |
| Luke Nelmes | Dual reg with Halifax | L Nelmes |
COVENTRY BEARS (from)
Alex Beddows
Andy Unsworth
Charlie O’Mara
Chris Barratt
Danny Price
Eddie Medforth
John Aldred
Grant Beecham
Hayden Freeman
Jack Morrison
James Redman
Jason Bass
Jay Lobwein
Joel James
Jono MIliszkewski
Liam Thompson
Matt Reid
Trae O’Sullivan
Richie Hughes
What do you think?
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