Yass Magpies v West Belconnen Warriors, 3pm Saturday July 8, Walker Park, Live Stream
The Yass Magpies will be looking to secure their fifth straight win when they take on the West Belconnen Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
Having defeated the Warriors at Raiders Belconnen earlier this season, Yass aren’t taking the Warriors lightly according to coach Steve Naughton.
“We know we are capable of winning if we put a good performance in,” Naughton said. “West Belconnen have a couple of players back who weren’t playing that day, so they’re going to be a big challenge this week.
“They are obviously the premiers for a reason, so we need to be on our game to come away with a win.”
With fourth-placed Tuggeranong guaranteed two competition points this weekend thanks to a bye, the Warriors need a win to remain within striking distance of the top four.
Woden Valley Rams v Belconnen United Sharks, 3pm Saturday July 8, Phillip District Oval
The Woden Valley Rams host the Belconnen United Sharks in a “must win” game as they look to close the gap to the top four.
Having lost to a Matthew Lawrence field goal against Yass last weekend, the Rams will be looking to secure their second win over the Sharks and only their third win of the season.
“It was a very tough loss, the boys put in a great effort and played some really good footy,” said Woden coach Ash Barnes. “To lose the way we did was obviously very disappointing but it was probably the best game we’ve played in quite some time.
“We’re basically in a must win situation for the end of the year. It’s a big one for us, and hopefully the boys turn up with the same attitude they did on the weekend.”
The Sharks remain rooted to the bottom of the table but could close the gap between them and Gungahlin to only two points should they claim the win.
Having improved tenfold since the start of the season, the Sharks have good reason for cautious optimism due to only one try separating the teams earlier in the year.
Gungahlin Bulls v Queanbeyan Kangaroos, 3pm Saturday July 8, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
Coming off the back of three straight losses, the Gungahlin Bulls will be hoping to keep their finals hopes alive when they host the Queanbeyan Kangaroos on Saturday.
Having been defeated by the Blues last weekend, the Bulls will be hoping to replicate the form they showed in the second half of the encounter.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos bounced back into form last weekend with a 44-22 win over the Belconnen United Sharks and will be looking to repeat their big win over the Bulls earlier in the season.
Goulburn Workers Bulldogs v Queanbeyan Blues, 2pm Sunday July 9, Workers Arena
Having slipped out of the top four due to a loss to top four rivals Tuggeranong, Goulburn host the Queanbeyan Blues in need of a win.
With Tuggeranong guaranteed two competition points thanks to the bye, Goulburn will drop three points behind the fourth-placed Bushrangers if they can’t claim an upset win.
With a host of tough matches looming, Goulburn lock Tyson Greenwood said the Bulldogs are in a difficult situation.
“At training last night, we all came together and said that we’re in a hard position now and we need to put a real good crack in over the next couple of weeks and put it to some of these tougher teams,” Greenwood said. “Obviously playing at home is a big advantage for any team…but regardless of the field, quality teams are always going to be hard to stop.”
The Blues enter the match in good form having won all 11 of their matches this season and having defeated the Bulldogs 44-18 in Round 3.
