Katrina Fanning Shield: Round 14 Preview
Round 14 of the Katrina Fanning Shield kicks off this Saturday, with three key matchups set to encapsulate fans over the weekend.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Woden Valley Rams, Greenway Oval, Saturday 25th July, 10:40am
Tuggeranong welcome the Rams this Saturday morning, with the home team desperate for a win if they are any chance of sneaking their way into the top four.
Having played out a 4-4 draw against Yass last weekend, the Bushrangers will be hoping to rediscover their confidence in attack against the Rams.
Despite losing to the Rams in round four, Tuggeranong have shown improvement throughout the season and need a win to narrow the four-point gap between Woden on the ladder.
For the Rams, they were back to winning ways in round 13 against one of the competition heavy weights, a confidence boost heading into the last five weeks before finals.
Woden are sure to feed as much ball as possible to fullback Lara Cosgrove, who is coming off an impressive hattrick against the Sharks last weekend.
Belconnen United v Yass Magpies, NSWRL HQ Bruce, Saturday 25th July, 12:00pm
Belconnen United Sharks play host to the Yass Magpies on Saturday afternoon, with an opportunity to close the gap between the Warriors to just one point at the top of the ladder.
Despite being pipped by the Rams in round 13, the Sharks have demonstrated some scintillating attack in the last month with big wins over the Bushrangers and Blues standing out.
Try scoring leader Eliza Taylor is sure to prove as a headache for the Magpies defence, having added five tries to her tally in the last three games.
On the other side of the field, the Magpies are building in confidence having drawn three consecutive matches, after suffering 7 straight losses to start the year.
Magpies’ halfback Jenna Cooke is one to keep an eye on, having scored three tries over the last two weeks.
West Belconnen Warriors v Queanbeyan Blues, Raiders Belconnen, Sunday 26th, 09:30am
The Queanbeyan Blues travel to Belconnen this Sunday, where they will be met by the top of the table West Belconnen Warriors.
Coming off the bye in round 13, the Blues will be refreshed for their must win clash against the Warriors, as they still remain an outside chance to reach the top four.
With their last win coming in round nine, the Blues have still demonstrated a strong ability to score tries in recent weeks.
If the Blues are to go right to the end with the Warriors, don’t be surprised to see Courtney Mapleson’s name on the scoreboard, as she boasts an impressive tally of eight tries so far this season.
West Belconnen are coming off the back of their first loss this season, having fallen agonisingly short of the Bulls in round 13.
This should be sure to spur the competition leaders back into form, with the ball carrying of Crystal Papalii sure to have Queanbeyan on their toes.
Image by Trisha Sullivan
