Crusaders Preview
Match Preview Coventry Bears v North Wales Crusaders
Sunday July 16th, 3pm kickoff Butts Park Arena
Bears back at the Butts
This Sunday sees the Bears return home for the final game before League 1 splits into two, with the top eight teams slugging it out for two promotion slots to join next year’s Championship, and the lower eight competing for silverware in the guise of the League 1 Shield.
North Wales Crusaders, are currently in ninth position, which means a win could propel them into the top eight, assuming that a couple of other results go their way. Otherwise Wrexham based ‘Cru’ will find themselves in the lower half of the table, but in a good position to challenge for the shield as points gained sofar are carried over.
For Bears pride will play a part in the game. Results wise the season has been disappointing, but there have been two stirring victories, against Oxford and Hemel Stags, in front of the Butts Park faithful.
And the last home game, a tense thriller against Workington decided by a single point in the last minute, saw the Bears defeated, but equally saw the young side endear themselves to the highest crowd of the season in a truly unforgettable match.
Last week the Bears were far from their best at Newcastle, crashing 68-20, while the ‘Cru’ drew at home to Cumbrian side Whitehaven.
The Bears have two players Kieran Sherratt and Jason Bass away on International duty at the Universities Rugby League World Cup in Australia, but are otherwise hoping to field a strong side.
After Sundays games, the fixtures for the final seven games of the season will be arranged, with the Bears looking to have three more home games over the summer. These fixtures will be published as soon as we have them. See you Sunday.