Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 14 Preview
The Queanbeyan Roos continue to gap the rest of the competition as the top four battle intensifies coming into the final five weeks of the Canberra Raiders Cup.
Belconnen United Sharks v Goulburn City Bulldogs, 3pm, Saturday 22 July, NSWRL HQ, Bruce
The Belconnen Sharks will be looking to turn it around this weekend after going down to the Bushies 30-14 last weekend.
Much like their opponents, the Bulldogs also went down in disappointing fashion after the 18-24 defeat from the Warriors last weekend.
The last time these two met was in round five when Belconnen defeated Goulburn in a tight two-point win 26-24.
Goulburn’s Second Rower Ron Leapai has been in fine form this season sitting in the top end of top try scorers in the competition with 10 tries to his name and will be posing a big threat to the Sharks’ defence.
Belconnen’s Darcy Leadbitter is not far behind, scoring a solid eight tries this season and continuously looks dangerous with the ball in hand.
The Sharks are currently sitting in fourth position on the ladder with the Bulldogs only two points behind sitting in sixth place.
This will be a big fight to the finals as both teams will be looking to lock a spot in the top four with only four rounds left in the competition.
West Belconnen Warriors v Queanbeyan Kangaroos, 3pm, Saturday 22 July, Raiders Belconnen
The Queanbeyan Roos will be looking to continue their winning ways after another massive win over the Magpies last weekend defeating them 64-10.
Warriors will also be looking to sharpen up and gain another win under their belt after defeating the Bulldogs 24-18.
The Roos have had a standout season this year continuing to remain undefeated all season and sitting 8 points above second place.
Sam Williams continues to wreak havoc for other teams in attack sitting high on the top point scores board with 140 points to his name.
The Warriors are currently edging the top four sitting in fifth place with six wins to their name for the season so far.
These two teams last met in round five when the Roos won 44-6.
This will be a great game for both teams as Queanbeyan will be looking to remain undefeated and the Warriors are needing to win to stay in finals contention.
Queanbeyan Blues v Woden Valley Rams, 3pm, Saturday 22 July, Seiffert Oval
The Queanbeyan Blues will be fresh going into the game on Saturday after a bye last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Rams will be going into the game with a fire in their belly after defeating the Bulls 50-28.
Woden have turned their season around after a slow start earlier in the year, now sitting in third place on the ladder.
While unfortunately for the Blues they are sitting in eighth position only winning two games this year.
The last time these two sides met was in round five when the Rams took the blues out in a 26-16 win.
This will be a great game as the Blues will be looking to improve on their efforts this season and the Rams will be looking to cement their place in the top four.
Gungahlin Bulls v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, 4pm, Saturday 22 July, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers will be going into the game Saturday with a team filled with confidence after their excellent performance last weekend defeating the Sharks 30-14.
While the Bulls will be looking to turn their fate around after another disappointing defeat going down to the Rams 50-28 last weekend.
The Bushrangers have had a great season so far currently sitting in second position on the ladder with the Rams and the Sharks all on the same points.
Bushies will need to win this weekend if they intend to stay in the top two.
While their opponents in the Bulls have not had the standout season they would have hoped to have had, only winning three games so far.
The last time these two sides met was in round five when the Bulls defeated the Bushrangers 42-16 in what was an exciting game for the Bulls side.
This will be a close game given the history these two sides have with the Bulls constantly managing to edge over the top of the Tuggeranong side.
