Before I begin, apologies to all for the lateness of this article.
Saturday, October 22nd – Robert Ziems Park Corrimal – 3:00pm Kick Off
• Sutherland Seahawks (3-1-2) vs. West Sydney Pirates (6-1-0)
• (Choc’s Prediction: WST by 14+)
The Pirates continue their dominance over the GNSW and with each win, they are setting themselves up for a huge clash with Sydney Uni in 2 weeks’ time. The Seahawks were able to keep up with the Pirates in the first quarter but West Sydney got their rhythm back and were able to pile on the points to run away with the game. Sutherland now take on Wollongong in a must win game to decide the bottom places for the playoffs, while the Pirates take some much needed R&R as they have the bye this week, and set themselves up for a huge clash next week against the defending champions.
Final Score: SEA 20 – 44 WST
Saturday, October 22nd – Robert Ziems Park Corrimal – 6:00pm Kick Off
• Wollongong Mustangs (1-1-4) vs. Sydney University Lions (5-1-0)
• (Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 14+)
I am quietly hoping that my articles lit the fire in the hearts of the Uni players as they have gone back to the Lions of old with another thrashing of an opponent. They came, they saw and they conquered. Nothing else to add. As stated before, the Mustangs take on the Seahawks in a game that could decide the bottom placings for the playoffs, while the Lions face the toughest challenge as of yet, with a top of the table clash against the UNSW Raiders.
Final Score: WOL 2 – 75 SYD
Saturday, October 22nd – The David Phillips Sporting Complex Daceyville – 6:00pm Kick Off
• Northwestern Predators (2-1-4) vs. UNSW Raiders (6-0)
• (Choc’s Prediction: N/A)
I tell you what, UNSW are a very different team to that of last season. Their undefeated streak continued over us at David Phillips and they were able to pick apart holes in both the Preds O and D and piled on the points. But we weren’t going to go down without a fight and much credit to all the Preds as we fought for every yard gained. With this win sets up an interesting clash for the Raiders next week as they take on the defending champions Sydney Uni. That one is going to be way too close to call! Meanwhile the Predators have 2 must-win games coming up against the Sharks and Ducks, in order for us to have any hope of making the playoffs
Final Score: NWP 22 – 55 RAI
Saturday, October 22nd – Forestville Oval – 2:00pm Kick Off
• Northern Sydney Rebels (1-1-4) vs. Newcastle Cobras (0-1-6)
• (Choc’s Prediction: too close to call)
After rain closed the Sharks home ground of Budgewoi, the Rebels made a last minute decision to move all the games to Forestville Oval (props to captain Stephen Armstrong for organising this!). In the first clash on the beaches, the travelling Cobras took on the home side the Rebels. As mentioned by the Rebels, “it was a tale of 2 halves.” The Rebels piled on the points in the first half, overpowering their opponents. However in the second half, the boys in purple suffered a few injuries on their O, which meant the Cobras D could capitalise and hold the Rebels out. Unfortunately for the Cobras, they went down again in a hard fought battle. Next week the Cobras have a tough challenge ahead of them, in the form of the Ducks, while the Rebels take on UTS and their strong run game.
Final Score: REB 40 – 18 NEW
Saturday, October 22nd – Forestville Oval – 5:00pm Kick Off
• Central Coast Sharks (3-1-2) vs. Nepean Ducks (2-1-3)
• (Choc’s Prediction: NEP by 3)
It seems like every time these two teams meet, it’s a bloody close game. If only I wasn’t playing at the same time, it would have been great to watch this one live. With this one coming down to the wire, the Ducks were able to outlast the Sharks and pick up their 3rd win this season. On a side note, with this win, the Ducks have set a club record for the most wins in a season since their team was formed, so a big congratulations to Coach Bowes and all the Ducks squad. The next few weeks for these two teams are going to be tough as the Sharks take on the Predators next week, the Rebels the following and the Seahawks in the last week of the regular season; while the Ducks face Newcastle, Northwestern and the Rebels in their last 3 games. All these games are going to be must win for each of these teams if they are to have any hope of making the playoffs
Final Score: CCS 20 – 26 NEP
**UTS Gators have the Bye this week
*Photo Credit to UNSW Raiders Photographer Elissa Manera
