Kingstone Press League 1 preview: University of Gloucestershire All Golds v York City Knights

University of Gloucestershire All Golds gave league leaders Oldham a real fright last week.

Coach Lee Greenwood said: “I don’t think we did quite enough to win it but it was a massive improvement. It’s given us something to work with.

“A couple of technical issues aside, I was pleased. We weren’t far off but we need to get over that little bit of a hurdle. We’re probably a couple of players short in the squad that we need to get over the line and start getting some wins against northern teams.

“Having come close at Oldham we’re looking at giving York a good game this week.”

Centre Jamie Crowther is a doubt with an ankle injury but second row Ash Haynes sustained a broken leg and is probably out for the season. However, the All Golds have added former North Wales Crusaders prop Alex Davidson to their squad.

York City Knights coach James Ford wasn’t too downhearted following his side’s 34-24 defeat at Swinton Lions. “Swinton are really well coached and they play good Rugby League,” he said. “It was a really entertaining game and I thought we were unlucky not to come away with any points. We lost six tries to five but actually made more line breaks than Swinton.

“We’ve certainly got a few things to fix up from the game but the positive thing is that I’ve got a group of players who want to improve. We are getting better. Swinton are probably the best team we’ve played; we weren’t far away so we’re confident there’s a lot of improvement left in us.

“It’s not going to be easy at Gloucester, they’re a good team and a big team with good line speed and aggression across the field. Lee’s obviously doing a really good job down there. It’s going to be another tough test for us, especially with the travelling.”

York are likely to be without centre Lee Waterman, who has a knee injury and prop Micky Learmonth who has damaged ankle ligaments.