Katrina Fanning Shield 2022: Round 9 Preview
The Katrina Fanning Shield will return for round nine this weekend, with an action-packed afternoon of rugby league likely to shake-up the competition ladder.
Woden Valley Rams vs Yass Magpies, Phillip Oval, 10:30am Saturday 2nd July
The Yass Magpies will travel to Woden this Saturday, looking to maintain their undefeated start to the season when they come up against the Rams.
After scoring 144 points in their last two matches whilst conceding zero, the Magpies will be high on confidence as they look to continue their winning streak.
Their campaign has not been without its challenges, including a last minute 8-6 win over the Queanbeyan Blues in round six.
They will need to be at the top of their game against a Woden Valley side who have lost just once this year, a 32-16 defeat away to Goulburn City.
Following almost a month without football, the Rams were able to secure an exciting 22-16 victory against the Queanbeyan Blues at GIO Stadium last Friday night, proving their credentials this season.
They will be looking to continue their strong form and hand the Magpies their first loss of the season this weekend.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers vs Queanbeyan Blues, Greenway Oval, 10:45am Saturday 2nd July
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they come up against the Queanbeyan Blues on Saturday morning.
After a slow start to the season the Bushrangers have found some form, defeating South Coast United in a tight matchup before comfortably securing the victory against Boomanulla last Saturday.
If they are keen to continue their push up the ladder, they must come out on top against the Queanbeyan Blues, who despite only winning half of their games this season have proven that they belong with the best.
The Blues haven’t lost by more than six points in their three defeats so far, fresh off a 22-16 loss to the Rams last Friday night.
A win for either team will see them push up into fourth spot, while a loss could see them slip to as low as seventh.
UC Stars vs Goulburn City Bulldogs, Raiders Belconnen, 12:00pm Saturday 2nd July
The UC Stars will be looking to get their season back on track when they host the Goulburn City Bulldogs this weekend.
Following a big loss to league leaders Yass in round seven, the Stars have had time to regroup with a bye round as they aim to have a late surge up the ladder.
It certainly won’t be an easy task, facing a Goulburn side who have lost just once all season.
That 30-18 defeat came at the hands of Yass, with the side not looking back since. Solid wins over South Coast and Harden over the past fortnight have left them sitting in second, ready to pounce on any slip up from the league leaders.
Both sides will be desperate to secure a crucial win in the context of their season on Saturday afternoon.
Boomanulla Raiders vs South Coast United, Boomanulla Oval, 1:00pm Saturday 2nd July
The Boomanulla Raiders will be aiming to secure their first win of the season when they host South Coast United this weekend at Boomanulla Oval.
It has been a tough season so far for the Raiders, including a few large losses to Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan over the past two rounds.
They will need to be at their best to secure their maiden win of the campaign, coming up against a South Coast side desperate for a win to maintain touching distance with the top teams.
Despite not picking up a victory over the past fortnight, South Coast have been up for the challenge in their recent fixtures.
A tight 16-12 defeat to the Bushrangers and a 30-4 loss against the high-flying Bulldogs has left them on four points from their six games, remarkably just a win away from fourth place on the ladder.
With Boomanulla desperate for a first victory and South Coast looking to put the pressure on the top sides, it is shaping up to be an important match for both teams.
