Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 5 Preview
The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup round five will kick off this Saturday with all teams looking to etch their name in the top half of the ladder.
Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Gungahlin Bulls, 3pm Saturday 13 May at Greenway Oval
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers enter this match after an incredibly tight win last week against the Sharks, defeating them 28-22.
The Bushrangers are currently sitting in second position on the ladder, stunning the competition so far.
Tuggeranong will be hunting for their fourth win of the season and to etch their name on the top of the ladder.
Meanwhile, the Gungahlin Bulls are still reaching for their first win of the season after going down last week by two-points to the Woden Valley Rams.
Tuggeranong forward Jack Bishop says that they are not counting the Bulls out of the game, acknowledging that they're desperate for a win.
“They just know that bounce of the ball and it always seems to bounce their way. They pull some freaky stuff,” Bishop said.
The Bushrangers will return to Greenway Oval where they look to secure their second home win of the season.
Woden Valley Rams v Queanbeyan Blues, 3pm Saturday 13 May at Phillip Oval
The Woden Valley Rams will be looking to continue their winning ways after defeating Gungahlin last weekend in a close 12-10 win.
The Rams have only won two games this year but will be looking to make it three on the season and climb the ladder, currently sitting in sixth position.
Their opponents, the Blues, are coming off a bye last week and will be hoping to get their second win of the season after a slow start.
The new-faced Blues side has struggled in defense in recent weeks, conceding tries right across the park.
This match will be a tough fight in the middle with both teams hoping to move away from the south end of the ladder.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos v West Belconnen Warriors, 3pm Saturday 13 May at Seears Workwear Oval
This game will arguably be the biggest game for both teams this season.
The reigning premiers West Belconnen will be looking to beat the in-form team of the season so far in the Roos.
West Belconnen head into the game after a shattering loss to the Goulburn City Bulldogs, going down 30-18 last weekend.
Meanwhile, Queanbeyan will have a spring in their step after defeating the Yass Magpies 24-16 last weekend.
Kangaroos' captain coach Sam Williams has held the fort down, topping the point scorer leaderboard with a ten-point lead.
The Roos will eye off their fourth straight win to begin the 2023 season while the Warriors will be out for revenge and to spoil the party.
Goulburn City Bulldogs v Belconnen United Sharks, 3pm Saturday 13 May at Workers Arena
The Bulldogs aim for three in a row as they play host to the third-placed Sharks in this weekend's match of the round.
The Goulburn City Bulldogs are coming off the back of an impressive 30-18 win against the Warriors last week.
Meanwhile, the Sharks will look to bounce back after a close loss to the Bushrangers after a late comeback from the team in the second half.
But the Sharks know it will take an 80-minute performance to grab the important two points and club captain Sonny Tupoula said that has been a focus this week.
“They have the Cornish brothers, Dillon Rota and Ron Leapai but we have to control them, play our game and we will do pretty good,” Tupoula said.
We just need to start better and play a full game of footy and we can get the win.”
You can stream the BarTV Match of the Round from 3pm Saturday here.
