Katrina Fanning Shield Round Seven Preview
After a week off, the Katrina Fanning Shield resumes with round seven action this weekend.
Yass Magpies v Queanbeyan Blues, 10:30am Saturday 19 June at Phillip Oval
The Yass Magpies will look to keep their unbeaten winning streak alive when they take on the Queanbeyan Blues on Saturday.
Yass had a dominant 22-4 win over the Goulburn City Bulldogs in round six, in what was a top of the table clash.
Defence has been the best part of the Magpies season so far. The only points scored against them in the first six rounds has been a try to Goulburn prop Olivia Howe.
Yass fullback Lucy Prosser scored a double in the last game, adding to her try-scoring tally of eight.
The Magpies face a tough test against a strong Queanbeyan Blues outfit. The Blues are currently sitting in third place on the ladder, just ahead of the Tuggeranong Bushrangers on for-and-against.
Queanbeyan will be nice and refreshed after two weeks off, having two byes in row.
Hooker Payge-Louise Condon remains on top of the Best and Fairest leaderboard, with eight points.
The Blues boast a dangerous spine, with Cailah Welch as fullback and the halves pairing of Jacinta Williams and Taylor Galjaardt. Shutting down their attack will be key for Yass.
The last time these two sides met was back in round four, with the Magpies winning 26-0.
UC Stars v Harden Worhawks, 12pm Saturday 19 June at Raiders Belconnen
The UC Stars host the Harden Worhawks this Saturday, with both sides eager to take home the two points.
The Stars have recorded two wins so far this season, winning their last match 14-4 against the Boomanulla Raiders.
Hooker Annabelle Tetley picked up three Best and Fairest points in her performance during that game, while Amanda Kyburz scored a double.
The Worhawks are coming off the back of a tough 46-0 loss to the Bushrangers in round six, so they will want to bounce back this weekend.
Harden have picked up some players from the Riverina area, boosting their playing stocks for the remainder of the year. Three of the players are from Albury and one from Wagga Wagga.
Halfback Hunter Ings and lock Mellissa Ings remain the danger players in the side, with second-rower Rebecca Halls playing some great footy as well.
At times both teams have struggled with defence, so controlling the footy and building pressure will be key for them.
The two teams met back in round three, in what was a hard fought game. UC defeated Harden 18-4, the Worhawks playing with eleven players throughout the whole game.
Goulburn City Bulldogs v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, 11am Sunday 20 June at Workers Arena, Goulburn
In what is an intriguing Sunday morning clash, the Tuggeranong Bushrangers travel to Goulburn to face the City Bulldogs.
The momentum is all with Tuggeranong heading into the clash, with the Bushrangers winning their last three matches.
The Bushrangers defence has been particularly impressive, holding the UC Stars and Harden Worhawks to zero in their last two rounds.
Felicity Bell and Zoe Podmore are the top try-scorers for the side, with four tries a piece.
The Goulburn City Bulldogs recorded their first loss of the season to the Yass Magpies last round. The Bulldogs fought hard throughout the game, but the Magpies defence proved too good.
The Bushrangers will need to dominate in the forwards to help nullify the impact of the Bulldogs attack. Goulburn have the ability to score points right across the park, with lock Madyson Tooth, second rower Elly Hazelton and fullback Krystal Blackwell amongst the most threatening.
This will be the first time the two sides have played each other this year, with their round two clash a forfeit.
A win for the Bushrangers could see them jump into third place on the ladder, while Goulburn could solidify second place if they secure the two points.
