Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 16 Preview
The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup returns after a weekend off with the race to the finals in full swing, highlighted by the Sharks taking on the Rams in a must-win match for both sides.
Match of the Round: Belconnen United Sharks vs Woden Valley Rams, NSWRL HQ Bruce, 3:00pm Saturday 13th August
This weekend's match of the round will see the Sharks host the top of the ladder Rams, in a match the Sharks have to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The finals have come early for the Sharks who will have to finish the season undefeated to have any hope of finishing in the top four.
Belconnen will be confident they can knock off the ladder leaders after winning three of their past four matches, including a 44-36 win over the Queanbeyan Blues to keep them in finals contention.
Meanwhile, the Rams are the new leaders of the CRC ladder after securing their tenth win of the season against the Bulldogs.
The Rams sit at the top of the ladder by just one point with both the Warriors and Bushrangers looking to jump into first place.
Both sides met in round seven earlier this year and it was the Rams who picked up a 28-18 win at home.
It should be a cracking game on Saturday with a finals-like atmosphere at NSWRL HQ, Bruce.
West Belconnen Warriors vs Yass Magpies, Raiders Belconnen, 3:00pm Saturday 13th August
The Warriors will be hoping to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Magpies, who will be out to spoil the Warriors season.
After spending most of the season on top of the competition ladder, the Warriors have slipped to third after suffering back to back losses against the Rams and Bushrangers.
After two losses, the Warriors now have the worst for and against of any of the remaining top four sides and could fall as low as fourth with another loss.
It has been a season to forget for the Magpies but they will be hoping to secure a few more victories and avoid finishing last, especially after last weekend's win over the Kangaroos.
The Magpies currently sit in ninth and are now tied with the Bulls with just for and against separating the two sides.
The Magpies will be looking to spoil the Warriors run to finals but West Belconnen will not make it easy, with the top spot still up for grabs.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos vs Gungahlin Bulls, Seears Workwear Oval, 3:00pm Saturday 13th August
The Bulls will travel to Queanbeyan this Saturday with the hope of advancing off the bottom of the ladder.
The Bulls are in a battle with the Magpies to avoid the wooden spoon but have the advantage of having a superior for and against.
The Bulls have not tasted victory since their round nine win over the Magpies, but with their final two games against the top two sides, this could be their best chance to secure another win.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will be out to put in a better performance after going down to the Magpies last weekend.
The Kangaroos are now out of the finals race but will be wanting to finish strong after a much improved back half of the season.
While both teams are out of the finals picture, you can expect fireworks with the Roos back at home and a potential wooden spoon on the horizon for the Bulls.
Goulburn City Bulldogs vs Queanbeyan Blues, Workers Arena, 3:00pm Saturday 13th August
The Bulldogs will host the Blues who are still in the hunt for a top two finish despite last round's loss.
Despite sitting fourth, the Blues remain just one win away from first place and could find themselves on top of the ladder with a win this weekend.
The Blues also have the advantage of having the best for and against, currently ranked first in attack in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs season is over but they will be hoping to spoil the finals race for a few teams including this weekend.
Goulburn will enjoy returning to their home of Workers Arena this Saturday, where they will sure receive a loud reception in their first home game in over a month.
The Blues will see this as an excellent opportunity to move up the ladder but can't take it easy against a team that's hungry to bounce back at home.
