The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup is approaching the halfway point of the season, with all clubs eyeing off an important round eight win before the long weekend.
Queanbeyan Kangaroos v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, 3pm, Saturday 3 June at Seears Workwear Oval
The Kangaroos will host the Bushrangers in Saturday’s match of the round in a bid to continue their undefeated streak to seven from seven.
The Roos come into this clash after a strong 30-nil win over the Bulls last week.
Queanbeyan forward Sia Soliola has praised his team’s efforts despite staying sidelined for most of the season with a hamstring injury.
Soliola highlighted the input that Captain Coach Sam Williams has had on the team, crediting his commitment.
“He has been really great, I have been really impressed by the way he has been managing,” Soliola said.
“What we found with the squad is we are finishing our games really strong and that’s what Sammy has been addressing to the boys.
“Our starts haven’t really been as good but our ends of the games have been really strong.”
They are coming up against the third-place Bushrangers who are going into the game unfazed about their opponents.
Tuggeranong’s Blake Murray has said that the side is treating it like any other game.
“It has been relaxed at training having a bit of fun but we are going to come out and just do what we do and worry about us, if we play our game we should be good to go,” Murray said.
“They are just another team for us, we have to knock everyone off and get to the top and make our way to the grand final”.
Tuggeranong is going to be feeling fresh after a bye week last weekend.
The sides will go head-to-head Saturday in what is going to be an intense clash.
Belconnen United Sharks v Yass Magpies, 3pm, Saturday 3 June at NSWRL HQ, Bruce
The Belconnen United Sharks and Yass Magpies will both be going into this weekend with a point to prove after both going down in big defeats last weekend.
The Sharks start to the season was strong but have now hit a mid-season slump, losing their past two games.
Last week’s 32-4 loss to Woden should spark some form for the Sharks, who are yet to win at home this year.
Belconnen is currently sitting in sixth place and will be hoping to go one step further this season to cement their place in the top four.
Meanwhile, the Magpies have had a rough start to the season, going down in most games in tight-to-the-wire fixtures.
Like their opponents, Yass had a difficult loss last weekend going down to West Belconnen 48-0.
They have won only one game this season and will be looking to add some points to the ladder.
West Belconnen Warriors v Queanbeyan Blues, 3pm, Saturday 3 June at Raiders Belconnen
The Warriors have been a force to be reckoned with the past couple of games, showing their dominance once again last weekend defeating the Magpies 48-0.
Currently sitting in second position on the ladder, West Belconnen is looking to win in the grand final rematch against the Blues.
The Blues have gone under the radar so far this season with constant changes to the side and only having one win under their belt.
Queanbeyan went down to the Goulburn City Bulldogs last weekend in a high scoring 46-26 loss.
Despite the loss, the side has shown glimpses of gold that they will be looking to implement into their game for the grand final rematch this Saturday.
The Blues are sitting at the bottom of the ladder but with the competition still early on there is still an opportunity to climb their way up the ladder.
Gungahlin Bulls v Goulburn City Bulldogs, 4:15pm, Saturday 3 June at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval:
The Gungahlin Bulls are going into the game off a big loss to competition leaders’ Queanbeyan, in a 30-0 defeat last weekend.
The Bulls were sitting in a great place leading into last weekend’s game and will be looking to make their way back to that form.
They currently are sitting in seventh place on the ladder whilst their opponents are sitting closely in front in fifth.
Goulburn dominated last weekend, defeating the Blues in a 46-26 win and they will be edging to continue their winning ways.
The Bulldogs have had the injury curse along with other teams heading into the middle of the season and will be looking to have a side with little movement to make their mark.
Both of these sides will be looking to enforce their big guns to really imprint on the game and work their way up the ladder.
