Canberra Raiders Cup 2023: Round 3 Preview
The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup returns for round three this Saturday, with important clashes scheduled across the weekend as the competition ladder starts to take shape.
Yass Magpies vs Gungahlin Bulls, Walker Park 3pm Saturday 29th April
Yass will play host to Gungahlin this Saturday in what is an extremely important clash for both sides as they both look down the barrel of an 0-3 start.
The Magpies have been sound to start the year, showcasing their blistering attack in patches but yet to put in a solid 80-minute performance.
The Bulls are very much the same, leaking far too many points in the early stages and leaving it too long to spark a comeback.
These two sides played each other at Walker Park in round four of last season, where Yass broke their maiden win for the year in a 32-16 victory.
The Magpies will be looking to replicate that once again as the Bulls travel to Yass in hope of returning with the two competition points.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers vs West Belconnen Warriors, Greenway Oval 3pm Saturday 29th April
The Bushies will play host to the reigning premiers West Belconnen this Saturday, in a bid to continue their undefeated streak to start the season.
These two top-four sides from last year only met twice in 2022, resulting in a 26-all draw and a 26-12 victory to Tuggeranong.
Off this form, you'd expect a tight clash between two of the competition heavyweights.
West Belconnen opened their campaign last weekend with a big 36-22 win over Gungahlin, after a round one bye.
However, the Warriors will be chasing their first victory over the Bushies since 2019.
Woden Valley Rams vs Goulburn City Bulldogs, Phillip Oval 3pm Saturday 29th April
The Bulldogs will travel to Woden to take on the Rams in a huge clash as both sides are coming off round two defeats.
The Rams will be disappointed with their loss to the Roos last Saturday and will be itching to bounce back at home on the club's Ladies Day.
The Bulldogs, like the Bulls and Magpies, are facing their third-straight loss to start the year.
Goulburn will be out to put in a consistent 80-minute performance after leading in the early stages against the Roos and Bushrangers to then go down at the death.
Queanbeyan Blues vs Belconnen United Sharks, Seiffert Oval 3pm Saturday 29th April
The Blues will look to make it two in a row against the Sharks who come off a bye after a huge round one performance against Gungahlin.
The Blues bounced back after their round one woes to get a good 34-24 win over Yass at home last Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks have made one adjustment since round one, pushing Manase Kaho back to fullback for the first time this season.
Queanbeyan are rolling into a bye round next weekend which makes this match all that more important to grab the two points before the break.
The last time these two sides met, it was the Sharks who made a miraculous 30-6 comeback, to win 44-34 at Seiffert Oval in round 15 last year.
