Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 10 Preview
Round 10 of the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup kicks off this Saturday afternoon, with a top of the table clash between the Queanbeyan Blues and Belconnen Sharks set to take centre stage.
Belconnen United Sharks V Queanbeyan Blues, NSWRL HQ Bruce, Saturday 27th June, 03:00pm
Sitting third and second on the competition ladder with only two points the difference, the Sharks will host the Queanbeyan Blues on Saturday afternoon in a high stake’s showdown.
Having met in Round One, the Sharks started their season with an impressive 36-16 victory in Queanbeyan, form they have carried throughout much of the season.
Speaking on their form leading into their Round 10 showdown, Sharks hooker Zac Patch admitted that his team are still in search of a complete 80-minute performance.
“We’ve looked at our D (defence) again and where we can be better, but that’s definitely the big thing for us going into these next few weeks, is locking in with our D and not letting teams come back into the game," Patch said.
On the other side of the field, the Blues have scraped away with back-to-back come from behind victories in recent weeks, efforts that have them just in front of the chasing pack.
Searching for their sixth consecutive victory on Saturday, Blues hooker Zaen Edmonds echoed a similar narrative surrounding the importance of defence, as well as the importance of performing from the first whistle.
“Just as a team make sure our defence is a lot better, especially around the ruck. Just work together honestly and start the game off right," Edmonds said.
Given the context surrounding ladder position and the potential for movement this weekend, Edmonds highlighted the Blues fitness as a key to earning victory.
“I think our fitness is probably the reason why we’ve come back and won the last couple of weeks. So, if we can hold Sharkies out for as long as we possibly can, hopefully our fitness can come through and get them in the end."
This top four matchup is one that you won't want to miss, with the winner of the contest taking a massive step towards a top two finish.
Gungahlin Bulls V Goulburn City Bulldogs, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, Saturday 27th June, 03:00pm
Having knocked over the competition leaders in Round Nine, the Bulldogs travel to Gungahlin with a renewed confidence in Round 10 as they look to push towards the top four.
With three wins to date including their Round One showdown with the Bulls, the Bulldogs 22-16 upset victory last weekend against the Queanbeyan Kangaroos is sure to have the rest of the competition on high alert.
On the other side of the field, the Bulls will be hoping to kick start their season with a late push towards the finals following a disappointing two weeks.
Despite two consecutive losses, the Bulls have proven they can compete with the top teams, having defeated the Sharks in round seven.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos V Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Seears Workwear Oval, Saturday 27th June, 03:00pm
Queanbeyan return home after suffering their first defeat of the year in Goulburn last weekend, welcoming the Bushrangers who have enjoyed a strong showing of form in recent weeks.
Sat atop of the ladder for the entirety of the season, Queanbeyan’s narrow 22-16 loss to the Bulldogs last week has shrunk the gap to second place, something they will be desperate to rectify this weekend.
For the Bushrangers, despite having narrowly lost to the Blues last weekend, they will have taken a lot of confidence from going right to the final siren with the second played outfit.
Currently sitting 7th on the ladder, a win this weekend would place Tuggeranong on equal points with the fourth placed Rams, highlighting just how close the competition is at the midway point.
Saturday marks the second time these teams have met this season, with the Roos picking up the two points in round one following a 30-16 victory.
West Belconnen Warriors V Yass Magpies, Raiders Belconnen, Saturday 27th June, 03:00pm
The stakes are as high as ever for the Warriors and Magpies this weekend, with a win ensuring the victors remain in contention for the top four.
Yass hit the road on the back of their third win of the season, pipping the Bulls 16-10 last weekend, hoping to build momentum leading into the second half of the year.
Strong performances from forward pairing Rana Baker and Noah Collins have been driving factors in the Magpies recent form, something they will be hoping to replicate this weekend.
Looking at the Warriors coming off the bye in round nine, they will be hoping to build upon their miraculous 44-38 victory against the Sharks in round 8.
Results similar to these is why the Warriors are a team to be wary of, as on their day they can unsettle any team in the competition.
When these two teams met in Round One of the competition in a high scoring affair, it was the Magpies that came away with a 38-24 victory.
