Kingstone Press League 1 preview: South Wales Scorpions v Gloucestershire

South Wales Scorpions got their first win of the season at London Skolars.

Coach Mike Grady said: “In the last couple of weeks we’ve been struggling to win a game. We were in it against Oxford and started well against Coventry but we needed to play for the full 80 minutes and we did against London last week.

“We had a couple of experienced lads missing as well in Neil Dallimore and Connor Farrer but the lads who came in put their hands up. It was away as well, which was even more pleasing, it shows that we can do it if we concentrate for the full 80.

“It would be good to put in another performance this week. It’s a local derby against Gloucester and they’ve got a number of ex-Scorpions in their side, so it’s one that all the lads are desperate to play in. Hopefully we can put in a good performance.”

Full-back Jonny Leather is doubtful with an ankle injury centre Paul Edwards is definitely ruled out following his head injury.

University of Gloucestershire All Golds were competitive against Oldham last week despite losing the game.

Coach Lee Greenwood said: “We were well down at one point, then came back and had a go and showed good character in the second half. We got to within a score, then Oldham scored to take the game away from us.

“Given the players we had out, before the game we would have probably been satisfied with a 12-point defeat, but at the end of the day it doesn’t bring you any points. We need to learn to be not that far behind before we start playing.

“I’m not sure it’s a good thing or a bad thing that South Wales won their first game last week. They’ve taken some hammerings but they’ve stuck at it and won at Skolars, so fair play to them.

“It’s going to be hard for us for sure. I know they’ve earmarked Skolars and us as wins for them so they’re obviously going to go into the game confident after winning on Sunday.

“I guess we’ll go in as slight favourites for this one, so it’s a bit of pressure for our lads and it will be interesting to see how they cope.”