The Medway Park Crusaders starts the competitive part of their season with a Patrons Cup fixture against newly promoted Westminister Warriors at their new home at the Black Lion/Medway Park Leisure Center.

The Patrons Cup is the Division 2 league cup where the division is divided into a North and a South pool where everyone plays each other once, either home or away. The Crusaders have three away games and two home games in the pool, starting on Saturday 26th September at home.

It will be the first ever match between Westminster and Crusaders, as the storied Westminster club has had a hiatus from men’s competitions, which saw the club re-focus on junior development. The club had to start again from the bottom in Division 4 in 2007 and two straight promotions has now landed them in Division 2.   

Westminster closed out the 2008/9 season in emphatic style with a well earned win over south London rival Brixton Topcats in the EBL National League Division 3 Playoff Final. The win confirmed the Warriors as the most successful team in the league after finishing with an identical 20-4 record on the season with Brixton, however Warriors own the head-to-head on the year, winning 2 games to the Topcats 1.

Last season Westminster was lead by perhaps the most talented point guard rotation in the National Leagues with coach Junior Williams, Steve Vear, brother of Crusaders assistant coach James Vear, and Jackson Gibbons all taking turns running the point. They have had to say goodbye to James Vear this season, but still look strong at the guard spot.

Crusaders will hope to build on their good showing at the London Leopards pre-season tournament where they beat hosts Leopards and were one shot away from beating BBL side Worthing Thunder. Crusaders should have a full squad available for the game as there are no current injuries.