Saturday, September 24th – Neptune Park – 6pm Kick Off
• UTS Gators (0-1-2) vs UNSW Raiders (2-1-0)
• (Choc’s Prediction: RAI by 7)
In this rematch from the 2015 playoffs, the Raiders were looking to get revenge from their loss which knocked them out of a semi-final match with Sydney Uni. The first half was a solid defensive effort by each team, which ended with the Raiders going into the half 3-0 up after a field goal by K Aaron McEvoy. In the second half, the green machine were able to put up 3 TDs to UTS’ 1. This is the Gators 3rd loss in a row so they will need to bounce back against the Sharks this weekend in order to have any chance of making the playoffs again.
Final Score UTS 8 – 26 RAI
Saturday, September 17th – Darling Street Park – 3pm Kick Off
• Central Coast Sharks (0-1-1) vs Wollongong Mustangs (0-1-1)
• (Choc’s Prediction: WOL by 7)
The Sharks were able to outlast the Mustangs in this tough battle. After the Mustangs went up by 1 TD in the first quarter, the Sharks were able to bounce back and level the score at 14-all going into the halftime break. In the second half, the boys from the Coast were able to shut out the Mustangs O and score 2 TDs of their own; 2 of these going to WR Josh Taylor. Next week the Sharks will meet UTS in Newcastle which should be a hotly contested clash.
Final Score: CCS 28 – 14 WOL
Saturday, September 24th – Darling Street Park – 6pm Kick Off
• Sydney University Lions (2-1-0) vs Northwestern Predators (2-1-0)
• (Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 21)
After blowing out the Predators last season 63-12, the Lions were looking to continue their domination of the GNSW; and a very tough game for us, came with a surprising scoreline. Both offenses struggled to get their game going in the opening minutes of the clash, with the ball being turned over in the opening 5 possessions of the game. The Lions were able to score in the first quarter after a long drive ended with RB Alex Watson pounding the turf for a TD. The Preds D didn’t take kindly to this and forced the Lions O to a handful of 3-and-out’s, which set up Preds WR Jack Prichard to score through the air and take the lead late with QB Mark Shoebridge converting a 2 point conversion in the second quarter. Some unfortunate injuries to the Preds O forced us to become one-dimensional with our attack and just work through the air and the Lions read this very quickly and were able to shut down our O. The Lions scored right before the half but missed a 2 point conversion, sending the game into the half 13-8 and this the way the score ended. The second half was a very strong defensive effort by both teams, with the Lions running out the game clock in the Preds red zone.
Final Score: SYD 13 – 8 NWP
Saturday, September 24th – Walters Park Speers Point – 3pm Kick Off
• Nepean Ducks (1-1-1) vs Sutherland Seahawks (1-1-1)
• (Choc’s Prediction: NEP by 7)
The highest scoring match in the league was dominated by the Ducks and Seahawks offenses, with each team’s D failing to stop their opponents. Ducks RB Stuart Etcell probably had his game of the season, pounding the turf for 5 TD, while QB Emil Johansen threw for one and ran one in himself. This high scoring match was evident in the final 2 minutes of the game, with three TDs being scored by both teams. But this game came down to the wire. In the dying minutes, the Ducks were going through a solid drive and were looking to set up for a field goal on the next play but the Seahawks were able to force a fumble and LB Jackson Young was able to recover and return it for a TD, securing the win for the Sutherland boys.
Final Score: NEP 46 – 54 SEA
Saturday, September 24th – Walters Park Speers Point – 6pm Kick Off
• West Sydney Pirates (2-1-0) vs Newcastle Cobras (0-1-2)
• (Choc’s Prediction: WST by 14+)
The Pirates came steamrolling through Newcastle and gave the Cobras a good hit out. The Cobras were able to keep the Pirates to just an 8 point lead at the end of the first quarter. And I don’t think Head Coach Ian Taylor had some nice things to say to his O as they came out guns blazing and piled on 24 points to take them into the break 32-0. The Cobras were able to get on the board with their D as rookie OLB Tyson Derrick was able to convert an interception into a pick 6 but this was not enough to topple the Pirates as they ran out winners 54-13. Both the Pirates and Predators are in agreement that the Cobras are far more physical than they have been in recent years and this will be tested in the next few weeks as they meet the travelling UNSW next week and Central Coast the following.
Final Score: WST 54 – 13 NEW
**Northern Sydney Rebels had the Bye this week
I would just like to mention that the Predator defense in the second half was due mainly to me coming back into play.
how does one get involved. id like to learn to officiate???
What state are you in Peter