Player/coach Dom Swann has told his Bristol Sonics side to “make their own history” when they face Bath & Wiltshire Romans in the West of England League Grand Final at AFC Corsham’s Leafy Lane ground on Sunday (23rd August, K.O 14.30).

Swann, the club’s record points scorer and the only man to have played in every season since the Sonics’ first took to the field in 2003, wants his young side to “finish the season in style” by recording a second win in three weeks against League Leaders, and 2015’s form team, Bath & Wiltshire Romans.

The Sonics came into 2015 in disarray, with on and off-field issues forcing the club to withdraw from the elite Conference League South competition and drop down into the West of England League. Given this upheaval, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the Sonics struggled to find form in the early part of the year, with the thrill of heavy victories tainted by the pain of tight losses to Somerset Vikings and Cheltenham Phoenix.

As the season has progressed, Bristol has finally clicked into gear. An impressive midweek performance against the Royal Marines, where the Sonics provided the military men with a scare in a pulsating performance, was followed by a dramatic 30-all draw at Dings with this season’s surprise package, Bath & Wiltshire Romans. It was the first time the new club, who rely heavily on Armed Forces players recruited from barracks in Wiltshire, had dropped points. That game, a fiery encounter that included a sin-binning and two sendings off, saw the Sonics roar back from a 14-point deficit to lead, only for the visitors to level the scores in the dying minutes.

Since then, the Sonics have been in prime form. Two weeks ago, an understrength Sonics side traveled to Bath’s Leafy Lane ground in Corsham and emerged victorious, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the confident Romans. Youngster Jack Uren, filling in for injured captain Alex Potts at hooker, grabbed four tries as the Sonics won 28-32.

Last week, Uren repeated the trick, crossing the whitewash four times as the Sonics overcame Somerset Vikings 48-22 at Dings to book a tantalising Grand Final re-match with Bath & Wiltshire Romans this Sunday.

Now player/coach Swann, who missed last week’s encounter due to the wedding of fellow Sonics coach Wes Rodgers, wants his side to finish the job. He said: “I’ve given the players a simple message: finish the job and make your own history. This is what we’ve worked all year for. It’s not been a great season off the field, and at times we’ve struggled on it, but all along we were focused on making the Grand Final to put ourselves in with a chance of winning some silverware. Now we’ve done that, we can focus on our next goal: beating Bath & Wiltshire Romans and winning the West of England League. We know what we have to do to beat them, and psychologically we’re in a good place as the only side in the region not to have lost to them this year. I’m in no doubt that it will be a very difficult game for us, though. I expect them to have all their experienced Forces players available for selection, and we know from little things we’ve picked up on that they’re really desperate to win that trophy, just as we are.”

The Sonics have appeared in a number of Grand Finals over the years in different competitions, and Swann is hoping that might make a difference on Sunday – despite the lack of big-game experience from some in his young, energetic side. He said: “Our last Grand Final was in 2011, where we beat Leicester Storm 28-20 at Aretians to become Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier Champions. There are very few of our squad who experienced that day, but one or two are still in the ranks, or will be there cheering us on from the sidelines. I’ve asked them to have a few words with the youngsters, and tell them about their experiences. This is a new experience for Bath, and we don’t yet know how they’ll respond, but a number of their players have international honours with Great Britain Combined Services so you’d expect them at least to take it in their stride. There’s a certain pressure to being favourites, and they’re definitely favourites.”

One player with experience who will controversially take to the field for Bath on Sunday is prop forward and captain Tom Howley. Alongside Sonics’ Dan Stuart-Cummins, Howley was sent off for his part in a brawl in a previous encounter between the sides, and was due to serve a one-match ban on Sunday. While Stuart-Cummins has accepted his punishment, Bath have written to the Rugby Football League to appeal the decision, allowing Howley to take his place in the side.

Howley is likely to be joined in the Romans’ starting line-up by Mike Harrison, a recent Great Britain Combined Services representative who played for the Sonics in Conference League South last season. These two players, along with the Romans’ strong-running pack, will arguably pose the greatest threat to the Sonics’ title ambitions on Sunday.

Dom Swann said: “Mike and Tom are terrific players and will be at the forefront of everything they do on Sunday. Nobody wants to miss out, which is why I’ll have a few selection headaches this week. Whoever takes to the field for us, I’m convinced they can do a job and help us win that trophy in their back yard.”

Swann is likely to return to the starting line-up, and can also call on experienced centre Mike Gaston for Sunday’s showdown in Corsham. Young stars Jack Farler and Jack Uren, who between them scored 28 of the Sonics’ 48 points last Saturday, will also make the starting line-up. Elsewhere, Swann is remaining tight-lipped and as yet, not even the players know who will be on the team sheet come 2.30 on Sunday afternoon.

Swann said: “I want to keep faith as much as I can with the young players and academy graduates who got us in this position, but we definitely need some extra experience in there, particularly in the pack. The game will be won and lost in the forwards, and we have to compete from the word go. That’s causing me a few headaches, but thankfully a few of the lesser-experienced lads have played brilliantly in the last couple of weeks, so I might just put my faith in them. I’ve still got a fair amount of thinking to do, though.”

Bristol Sonics face Bath & Wiltshire Romans in the West of England League Grand Final at AFC Corsham’s Leafy Lane ground on Sunday 23rd August, kick-off 2.30pm. Entrance is free.

BRISTOL SONICS RECORD IN GRAND FINALS

2007: RLC West Midlands Division – WON (40-30 v Burntwood Barbarians at Chase High School, Burntwood)
2008: RLC National Grand Final – LOST (38-20 v Moorends Thorn Moor Mauraders at Derby RFC)
2010: RLC West Midlands Premier Division – LOST (24-20 v Coventry Bears in Golden Point extra time at Old Coventrians RFC)
2011: RLC West Midlands Premier Division – WON (28-20 v Leicester Storm at Aretians RFC, Patchway)

Dom Swann is the only player to have appeared – and scored – in each one of Bristol’s Grand Final matches.

Bristol Sonics face local rivals Somerset Vikings at Dings Crusaders’ Landseer Avenue ground this Saturday (August 15, K.O 16.30), with a place in the West of England League Grand Final at stake.

The Sonics head into their biggest game of the season to date in the midst of a rich vein of form. After drawing 30-all with Bath & Wiltshire Romans at Dings a fortnight ago, Bristol produced their best display of the season last Saturday to beat the same side 32-28, thanks largely to four tries from live-wire hooker and Sonics Academy product Jack Uren. It was the Romans’ first and so far only defeat of the season.

In Swann’s absence, similarly experienced player/coach Lawrence Roycroft will lead from the front on the pitch, with injured captain Alex Potts running things from the bench. Saturday’s squad features a mixture of young stars – Uren being joined by fast rising forward Olly Scholey, utility back Jack Farler, string running second row Matt Blacker and ever-present centre Kieran Harvey – and experienced players, with loose forward Tom Verber, prop forward Sam Collins and half-back Simon Bannister on hand to calm things down if tempers fray. Winger and leading scorer Dan Stuart-Cummins will play his final game of the season for the Sonics, having picked up a one-match ban – which comes into effect for the final should Bristol make it – following his part in an altercation with Bath & Wiltshire Romans’ Tom Howley (who will definitely miss the final).

Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on the Sonics in what’s likely to be their final home game of 2015. The match takes place at Dings Crusaders’ Landseer Avenue ground, kicking off at 4.30pm. Entrance is free.

Bristol Sonics hopes of winning the 2015 West of England League title could be decided in the next week and a half, as the city’s Rugby League club faces three top-of-the-table clashes in quick succession.

The Sonics currently sit second in the West of England League table, with three games remaining. To have any chance of topping the table, and therefore getting a prime draw for the end-of-season Championship play-offs, Bristol must win all of those matches – starting with tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten leaders Bath & Wiltshire Romans at Dings Crusaders’ Landseer Avenue ground (Wednesday 29th July, kick-off 7.30pm).

Bath & Wiltshire Romans have been a revelation this year, marking their debut season in the West of England League with a string of brilliant performances. The Corsham-based outfit has made the most of their links with the armed forces, and can call upon a number of British Army Rugby League players with Great Britain Combined Services experience. 

In contrast, pre-season title favourites Bristol have endured an up-and-down season. High-scoring defeats of local rivals Somerset Vikings and Swindon St George were followed by narrow and frustrating defeats to Somerset and Cheltenham Phoenix. Following a number of weeks playing friendlies, the Sonics returned to league action on Saturday, holding off a late charge from Swindon St George to emerge victorious 24-28 at Swindon Supermarine Sports Club. That win leaves the Sonics second in the table, ahead of Somerset on points difference, with three tough games to play.

Bristol Sonics player/coach Dom Swann is under no illusions about the task facing his side on Wednesday night. He said: “Bath have been the form team in this division, and rightly sit top of the table. They’re a well-drilled, athletic side who have benefitted greatly from strong links with nearby British Army barracks and their strong Rugby League teams. We’ll have to be at the top of our game to beat them, but we have it in us to deliver what would probably be a shock given their strong form this season. If we do the basics well and defend better than we have done all season, we’ll push them close at the very least.”

Swann has been unable to pick from a full squad for much of the season, with a combination of illness, injury and player unavailability hindering his side’s quest for consistency. This week he’ll be missing a number of key players, including experienced heads Tom and Rob Verber, Will Tobin, Sam Collins and Mike Norman, but is bolstered by the return to action of hard-running prop forward Tony Harvey and younger brother Daniel. Swann also returns to the side after missing Saturday’s trip to Swindon, and his play-making partnership with hooker Alex Potts will be key to Bristol’s chances of overcoming a strong Romans side.

Swann said: “Wednesday night is not make or break for our play-off chances, but to guarantee finishing in the top two we may need to win two out of our three remaining fixtures. If we lose on Wednesday night, it makes it all that much harder. It certainly makes Saturday’s home game against Cheltenham Phoenix a must-win encounter, whatever happens.”

Following Wednesday night’s top-of-the-table clash, Bristol host Cheltenham Phoenix at Dings Crusaders RFC on Saturday August 1st, before travelling to Bath & Wiltshire Romans the following Saturday, 8th August. Entrance to both games will be free of charge, though the Sonics will be collecting donations to the fund set up by the family of Cheltenham player Zac France, who was seriously injured during the West of England League cup final earlier in the year.

Bristol Sonics take on Bath and Wiltshire Romans on Wednesday 29th July, kick-off 7.30pm, and Cheltenham Phoenix on Saturday August 1st, kick-off 2.30pm. Both games will take place at Landseer Avenue, home of Dings Crusaders RFC.

The Sonics will host the Royal Marines RL this Wednesday (24th June)  in a friendly fixture at Dings Crusaders RFC, 7pm kick-off.

The Marines are a military representative side and play annual fixtures against both military and civilian opponents.It will be the first time the 2 sides have met and will provide the Sonics with a final 13-a-side match before they have 2 weekends of 9’s in Brighton and Swindon.

Bristol Sonics have withdrawn from Conference League South with immediate effect.

The Lockleaze-based club was a founder member of the elite amateur league in 2013, but struggled throughout 2014 and was forced to postpone its’ first two games this season due to problems with player numbers. Following discussion with players, officials and the Rugby Football League, the Sonics have decided to withdraw from this season’s competition.

The Sonics will now focus their efforts on the West of England League, in which the club’s second team was due to compete in this summer. The Sonics will now run a single adult, “open age” side in the division, which kicks off on May 9^th. In addition, Bristol’s Rugby League club will continue to further strengthen and develop its’ junior and youth sides, with teams at under 14 and under 16 level. The Sonics remain the only team in the region running a junior Rugby League programme.

Bristol Sonics Chairman Phil Cole said: “This is one of the most gut-wrenching decisions we’ve had to make, and we thought long and hard before making the call to withdraw from Conference League South. We consulted with players, and unfortunately the level of commitment needed to complete a long, gruelling season in Tier 4 Rugby League was not there.

“I would like to emphasise that this is not the end for Rugby League in Bristol by any means. We will refocus the club on offering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play Rugby League. That has always been our core focus, and we may have lost sight of this a little in recent times. This is where our approach has always differed from some of our rivals. We have always said that we’re in this for the long haul, and that it will take many years for Rugby League to grow in the West of England. That is more obvious now than ever before.

“All community sports clubs go through ups and downs. We are still in a far better position now than we were in our early days, following the club’s inception in 2002. We’ve had knock-backs aplenty over the years, and have always bounced back. As long as there are people interested in Rugby League in Bristol, we’ll do that again.

“In due course we will be calling a meeting for those interested in Rugby League in Bristol, to work out our long term strategy. If we are going to grow the sport and the club, we need the commitment of players and volunteers. Those we have are firmly committed, and have been for some time, but we always need more.”

The Sonics will continue to train on Monday nights at Dings Crusaders RFC, Landseer Avenue, Lockleaaze, Bristol (7pm start), as they prepare for life in the West of England league.

Potential players can register their interest and find out more by emailing wes.rodgers@bristolsonics.com, or by calling Wes on 07730 600 721. Would-be volunteers are encouraged to email Phil Cole on phil.cole@bristolsonics.com