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Kingstone Press League 1 Shield

North Wales Crusaders v Coventry Bears Sunday 3rd September 

By Mike Hyde

The Bears are back on their travels again this weekend when they travel to Wrexham for Sundays 2.30 kick-off at the Queensway Stadium, Wrexham.

This is the fifth of the seven rounds of the Kingstone Press League 1 Shield, and a win is vital for the Crusaders as they fight to play in the final.

Currently, the ‘Cru’ are sitting in third position, slipping away from pole position as they have lost to both London Skolarsand to the All Golds in the earlier rounds. To not be in the final would be a disappointment to the club and its loyal fans who have kept the game very much alive in the North of the principality.

The Bears played Cru in a home league fixture back in July. It was one of those games where the Bears were in contention in the first half, entering the dressing room 7-12 down. Unfortunately the second half was one way traffic as the away side built their points haul up to 36.

The Bears only response was a last minute effort by Matt Reid, which when converted put the score at 13-36. But that was too little, too late.

Looking back on that day, the Bears were depleted with two away on international duty, plus injuries.

Since then, the Bears have very much been in the process of rebuilding, signing new players such as Paul Emanuelli, continuing the loan of Brad Brennan, and having other young players available on loan from London Broncos.

Whether the bears team is now strong enough to compete will be put to the test this Sunday.

Then, the Sunday after sees a trip to Oxford, before the Bears final game, a home fixture on Saturday 16th September against South Wales Ironmen.

Bears Squad to play NW Crusaders this week

1. Mikey Russell

2. Hayden Freeman

3. Matt Reid

4. Jason Bass

5. Jamahl Hunte

6. Brad Delaney

7. Paul Emmanueli

8. Brad Brennan

9. Billy Gaylor

10. Alex Beddows

11. Kieran Sherratt

12. Zak Williams

13. Paddy Jones

14. Sam Davies

15. James Geurtjens

16. Jack Morrison

17. Jacob Jones

18. Harry Chapman

19. Owen Jones