Bristol Sonics will be aiming to serve up a pair of wins at Aretians this Saturday, as they return to their regular home for a special Jubilee weekend Rugby League double-header.Both the Sonics first and second teams will be in action, with the matches taking place “back to back”, allowing fans the chance to enjoy a whole afternoon of Rugby League for free.And in both games, the Sonics will be taking on familiar old foes.First, Bristol Sonics A – the club’s second team – host Oxford Cavaliers (kick-off 13.00), a team the Sonics first faced nearly 10 years ago. On the occasion, the Cavaliers won by a landslide, but since then the Sonics have enjoyed the spoils more times than not. Sonics A coach Aran Simm will be keen to get his side back on track after a controversial narrow loss to bitter local rivals Swindon St George a fortnight ago.Aran Simm said: “The last result was very disappointing, because it’s a game we could, and should, have won. At half time we had it won, then we lost our discipline in the second half in the face of strong provocation. There’s no excuse. On Saturday I’m expecting the lads to bounce back with a win. Oxford are a decent team, though, so it won’t be easy by any means.”The second game of the afternoon is the headline event – a first appearance at Aretians this year by the Sonics’ first team, who now play in Conference League 3. Bristol take on old rivals Coventry Bears, who pipped them to the RLC Midlands Premier title in August 2010. Saturday’s match will be the first clash between the sides since the Bears won the Midlands Premier Grand Final in golden point extra time.The Sonics have yet to win yet in Conference League 3, but Head Coach Karl Fearnley hopes to change that record on Saturday. He said: “Every single week we’ve improved, and I don’t think a win is that far off. We got ourselves in a position to win last time out against South Wales, but lacked confidence and couldn’t quite get the win. Coventry are a quality side and I’m expecting a very tough game. If we do things right we can pick up our first win. The lads are all pumped up to put on a show.Fearnley is likely to be able to name his strongest side this season, as a host of familiar faces return to the squad after injury and absence. Although some of the Sonics’ student contingent will be missing, influential hooker Harry Marson and experienced loose forward Joe McKenna look likely to return. Marcus Brooker, who has now scored five tries in two appearances, could well be the star man for Bristol again.Entrance to Bristol Sonics v Coventry Bears and Bristol Sonics v Oxford Cavaliers A is free. Fans who can’t make the game can follow the action on
