Kingstone Press League 1 Preview: Newcastle Thunder v North Wales Crusaders

Newcastle Thunder have picked up a bit of form recently, winning 50-16 at South Wales Scorpions last week.

Coach Stanley Gene said: “After travelling all that way, it was a good win. As I said to the boys, we’ve got to finish on a high. Our last game is against North Wales, who will be looking to win to stay in that top five.”

North Wales Crusaders lost narrowly to York City Knights.

Coach Anthony Murray said: “It was a really close game, contested in a good spirit by two teams who could play rugby and the fans were treated to that.

“Fair play to York, they got what they deserved out of the game in the end and the two points they needed to push them up the league.

“It’s all on this week, we need to win to get into the play-offs. It’s not going to be easy. Newcastle had a little bit of a dip in form in the last six weeks but they seem to have pulled off one or two wins recently and I’m sure Stanley (Gene) will want the team to finish on a high.

“Knowing him as I do, they will be a tough team and want to play a bit of rugby. We will have to be at our best to beat them. No matter what happens at the weekend, I’m massively proud of our players and what we’ve achieved this year.

“We’ll go there, enjoy the day and give a good account of ourselves; if that puts us in the play-offs great, if it doesn’t, we’ve had a decent season.”