The Warriors lost narrowly last week to the Leicester Storm and need to start picking up points if they are to get into the mix for a play off place at the end of the season.

The Bears, meanwhile, are travelling very well. They are the reserve side for the Kingstone Press League 1 side and the squad to face the Warriors is likely to contain a number of players with first team experience already this season.

They have lost just two of their seven matches so far this season to lie second in the table. Their strength is indicated by the side that beat Sheffield Hallam Eagles which contained an Italian international, first team regular Steve Coleman and former University of Gloucestershire stand off Danny Poulton who had a brief stint with the Warriors a few years ago.

The reverse fixture at the end of March saw the Bears run out comfortable 56-10 winners though when the sides last met at the Xcel Sports Centre in 2012, it was the Warriors who took the spoils with a 50-18 win.

Though the Warriors sit in sixth place, they are looking up the table but recent results have not been kind. “It’s going to be a very tough challenge to climb the table as the rest of the league have games in hand,” says Jones. “The lads will have to get themselves in gear ready for a tough, physical match

“But it’s all down to their determination and they need to question themselves how much they want it!”

There have been a number of eyebrow-raising results in the Conference League South this season and should the Warriors take the points, then it would be another in the list.

IMAGE:
Jake Thompson in action for the Warriors in the reverse fixture with the Bears in Round 2 (pic courtesy Glenn Watts/GWpix)