Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 7 Preview

As we enter the middle part of the season, all teams will be looking to up the ante.

This week’s match of the round will be a hard-fought battle between two teams hoping to turn their fate around and succeed in the second half of the season.

Queanbeyan Blues v Goulburn City Bulldogs, 3pm, Saturday 27 May at Seiffert Oval

The match of the round is going to be fresh legs for both sides with Goulburn coming off the bye round and the Blues set to lineup a little differently this weekend.

Blues hooker Charlie Woolford said that the team is hoping that their new halfback can make an immediate impact given the slow start to their injury riddled season.

“It was a bit of a slow start and coming into the middle part of the season, we need to start having those combinations pretty soon,” Woolford said.

“We haven't had the same spine all year. So it'll be no different to the other weeks [this Saturday].”

Both teams have had a rough start to the season due to injuries.

The Blues are coming off a loss to the Bulls last weekend and will be looking to get off the bottom of the ladder.

While the Bulldogs will be preparing for round seven with a few players in their pack missing out on the game due to injury.

Goulburn had a bye round last week after their loss to the Sharks in round five in what was a hard-fought clash.

Bulldogs’ backrower Ron Leapai said that he is not worried about his team’s position on the ladder just yet as the ladder remains so tight.

“As Charlie said, it's a tight ladder, obviously the Roos sitting up there undefeated and everyone else on the bottom is fighting for a spot in that top four,” Leapai said.

“The Blues have always been strong, so you can't expect anything different.”

This match of the round is assured to be a tight game in all areas with both teams desperate to get over the line and build their way up the ladder.

Woden Valley Rams v Belconnen United Sharks, 3pm, Saturday 27 May at Phillip Oval

This game will be very important to both teams as they currently sit on the same points, both having won three games this season.

The Sharks are coming off a disappointing loss to the Roos in a 46-6 thrashing last week.

While the Rams will also be coming off a loss in their major semi-final rematch against the Warriors on Sunday.

This will be a tight game in the middle with the Sharks defence proving their strong point in past games.

While the Rams will be looking to utilise their backs to get over the line in something that has proven difficult so far for them.

As the middle of the season nears closer it is crunch time for both sides to set themselves up for the back end of the season.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos v Gungahlin Bulls, 3pm, Saturday 27 May at Seears Workwear Oval

The Queanbeyan Roos are heading into round seven still undefeated after sinking the Sharks in a top of the table clash on Saturday.

While the Bulls will be going into the game with a stride in their step after their strong 46-26 win over the Bulls.

Last week’s win was the second win in a row for the Bulls after a rocky start to the season.

With their marquee signing Bobby Roberts, starting to look comfortable in his new colours.

The Bulls will be coming up against an in-form Roos side who have been great in all areas of their game.

Sam Williams has been the Roos main enforcer in attack, topping the points leaderboard with 62 points to his name.

This game will be a battle of the halves as Sam Williams goes up against Canberra Raiders Cup veteran in Robby Roberts.

Yass Magpies v West Belconnen Warriors, 3pm, Saturday 27 May at Walker Park

The West Belconnen Warriors will be pleased after snapping their two-match losing streak against the Rams, defeating them by 10 points.

The side has again been consistent this season, only losing the two games so far.

They will be looking to continue their winning ways, heading into a tough clash in Yass.

The Magpies have struggled this season to close out games, only winning two of their games this season.

The Warriors are currently sitting in fifth position on the ladder just four points behind the first-placed Roos.

Despite Yass sitting in eighth position, the Warriors will not get complacent, with the Magpies known to dish-out a strong performance in-front of their Walker Park faithful.