West Midlands & South West Division of 8 clubs, Bristol won only three games all season, and player disillusionment led to the forfeiting of a game against rivals Gloucestershire Warriors – the only time this has happened in the club's history. The one bright spot was the formation of the club's first junior side, the under-16 'Sonic Youth' team. 2007 – 2009 The 2007 season saw Bristol Sonics celebrate their fifth anniversary by becoming the winners of the new-look RLC West Midlands Division. After a slow start to the campaign, the new-look Sonics began to gel as a side. After the regular league stage of the season, the Sonics finished second to Burntwood Barbarians after going through the second half of the campaign unbeaten. That meant a home qualifying play-off against third-placed Coventry Bears Academy. Bristol triumphed 70–8 to earn a Grand Final showdown with Burntwood on 11 August 2007. In a contest at Chase High School, Burntwood, Bristol triumphed 40–30 to become West Midlands Champions – the club's first significant silverware. The following week, Bristol travelled to RLC East Division winners Bedford Tigers for an RLC regional quarter-final. Despite leading for much of the game, the Sonics were eventually beaten 22–18 to put an end to their hopes of further silverware. Bristol Sonics carried their fine 2007 form into the 2008 season, remaining unbeaten in the West Midlands Regional Conference with 11 wins and a draw. Their remarkable run included a record 98–18 win over Redditch Ravens and a nailbiting 24-all draw with Coventry Bears 'A', as well as a dramatic, last-minute victory over long-time rivals Oxford Cavaliers on the final day of the league season. The Sonics were once again crowned West Midlands Champions. As West Midlands Champions, the Sonics took part in the Rugby League Conference play-offs for the second year in a row. After receiving a bye in the quarter finals, Bristol faced East Division winners Hainault Bulldogs in the semi-finals at Gloucestershire Warriors' Chosen Hill Ground. After an even first half, the Sonics powered away from the Bulldogs in the second half to win 34–14 and book a place in their first Rugby League Conference Grand Final. That match was played at Derby City RLFC's Haslams ground, and saw Bristol take on Moorends Thorne Moor Marauders from Doncaster. The more experienced Marauders proved too much for the Sonics, who fell 18–0 behind after just 15