Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 16 Preview
With only three weeks remaining in the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup season, this round of action could prove pivotal as only four points separates five teams.
Belconnen United Sharks v Woden Valley Rams, 3:00pm Saturday 12th at NSWRL HQ Bruce
The third-place Sharks are facing off against the fourth-place Rams with only one win separating the two sides in this week’s match of the round.
The Sharks defeated the Yass Magpies 28 – 16 last round and will be looking to earn their third consecutive win this weekend.
With finals looming, Belconnen’s Jay Slavin said that the team is taking it week by week because “if we win our last three games, we will be making finals”.
Slavin credited the Sharks’ recent form on the team focusing on “what we can control and what we can do better and eventually when the time comes, we will be able to exploit little things we see through the defense.”
A win this weekend for Belconnen could see them jump to second on the competition ladder as they are currently tied on competition points with the second-placed Bushrangers.
The Rams will be heading into this clash with a well-rested side after having two rounds off due to a bye and wet weather.
Woden Valley’s hooker Mitch Souter spoke about how his side has been using this time off to prepare for the push for finals.
“We’ve used these two weeks as a bit of a rest for our injured boys but for everyone still kicking, we’ve really knuckled down these two weeks to try and critique some things that have been lacking in games previous,” said Souter.
“It is important to build momentum into the finals and we got three tough games and hopefully three tough good wins to take into the final.”
This is a crucial game for the Rams as a win would see them move to third on the competition ladder, but a loss would likely see them fall out of the top four with an uphill battle to get back in.
Goulburn City Bulldogs v Queanbeyan Blues, 2:00pm Saturday 12th at Workers Arena
The Goulburn City Bulldogs will look to continue their climb up the competition ladder this weekend as they host the Queanbeyan Blues.
The Bulldogs will enter this weekend’s matchup full of confidence after an assertive 50 – 4 win over the Bulls last round.
Goulburn currently sits in sixth on the competition ladder but a win could propel the team as high as fourth on the ladder.
The Blues are backing up from a tightly contested 24 – 18 defeat to the Warriors last weekend and are sitting eight on the ladder.
Gungahlin Bulls v Queanbeyan Kangaroos, 3:00pm Saturday 12th at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
After their first loss of the season, the Kangaroos will be aiming to return to the winner’s circle as they travel to Gungahlin to face the Bulls.
Queanbeyan will look to the competition’s leading point scorer Sam Williams to guide the side to their 13th win of the season.
The Bulls will be hoping to snap their recent cold streak with an upset win in front of their home crowd.
Gungahlin is currently seventh on the ladder and enters this matchup following a 50 – 4 loss to the Bulldogs.
West Belconnen Warriors v Yass Magpies, 3:00pm Saturday 12th at Raiders Belconnen
The Warriors will be looking to earn a spot within the top four as they host the last-placed Magpies this weekend.
West Belconnen is backing up from a thrilling 24 – 18 win against the Blues last weekend.
The Warriors currently sit fifth on the ladder but a win could push them to fourth on the ladder, but a loss could see them fall to sixth.
The Magpies went down 28 – 16 to the Sharks last weekend and will be trying to play spoiler in this weekend's matchup.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Bye
