All Golds v NW Crusaders KPL1 2017

Bath team will have on their
playing strength.
The Vikings have put in a
lot of effort off the field and
have secured a new club
partnership with Hornets RFC
in Weston Super Mare that
allows them access to the
rugby union club’s impressive
facilities including the artificial
pitch.
They have also inked a twoyear
sponsorship deal with
Aspen-Waite who will be the
Vikings’ main sponsor and
support partner for 2017/18.
“This is a welcome boost
to the club,” said secretary
Bob Blainey who also
announced that the Vikings
will be raising awareness
and funds for Cystic Fibrosis
Trust and Andy’s Man Club.
“Both help save lives and are
causes close to our club,”
Blainey added. “There will be
collection buckets and charity
days throughout the season
and we hope to raise some
much needed money.”
In Pool 2, reigning champions
Portsmouth Seahawks host
the side they beat in the
Grand Final, Swindon St
George, in a mouthwatering
start to their title defence.
“Hopefully, with what I have
personally achieved over a
short period of time since
coming to rugby league, I can
show my team-mates there
are lot of opportunities if you
give 100 per cent.”
His side face a stern test
from a Bristol Sonics outfit
determined to do well this
season. Head coach Dom
Swann has big plans for 2017
and has set his side the task
of getting to the Grand Final,
after the 2016 season ended
with a limp play-off semi-final
loss to Swindon St George.
He said: “Last season was a
missed opportunity, but in
hindsight we got what we
deserved in the semi-final. To
compete for honours we
need a bigger squad and
more players at training. I will
pick players on merit due to
their performances in both
training and matches. Any
new players that come down
to training will have as much
chance of making the team
as those who are returning
from previous seasons. I urge
anyone who fancies playing
to come down to training on
Wednesday night and stake
their claim for a place in the
team.”
Elsewhere there is a re-run of
Last year’s Plate Final when
the holders, Oxford Cavaliers
take on the Southampton
Spitfires at Harcourt Hill.
19
Newcomers Bath RL have
named 21-year-old half-back
or hooker Tom Plance as their
captain for the 2017 season.
Plance, who plays for
University of Bath Broncos
and has also played for
Scotland Students and South
Wales Scorpions, said: “It
is an honour to be named
captain of a new club with a
professional environment.
Fixtures Saturday 13 May
Pool 1
Swindon St George A vs. Cheltenham Phoenix
Bath & Wiltshire Romans vs. Somerset Vikings
Forest Bulldogs vs. Gloucestershire Warriors
Pool 2
Bath RL vs. Bristol Sonics
Portsmouth Navy Seahawks vs. Swindon St George
Oxford Cavaliers vs. Southampton Spitfires
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