Elfster
Dave Cowper (27)
Some thoughts on this week's games. The last round for the season, and for some of the players their last game of Rugby. Good luck to them as they head off into the wild wide world!
Initial feelings are that my head says the home teams while the heart wished for something else. The weather looks good, so the fields should allow for some good open games.
Cranbrook hosts St Aloysius and should win comfortably to show off the refurbished oval. Cranbrook has been a bit of a surprise packet this year and are a well balanced side who can threaten and play an attractive style. It hasn't been the best year for Aloys, but they are tenacious and are willing to throw the ball about. They have a couple of good players, but this year they are missing some size and perhaps one or two more great players. Hopefully we won't see the one sided affair as last week. It will be a willing game and should be a pleasing spectacle.
Waverley should be too strong for Trinity at Queens Park. I think both sides have lacked some cohesion this year that have let them down. Waverley, being Waverley, will always threaten: their backs will probably put on a bit of a show against Trinity. When they are good Trinity can match it with the best, but they seem to fall away at times. It isn't due to lack of effort or spirit, but they are missing something intangible. Though some points will be scored I don't think it will be a blow out.
At Waitara I favor Barker to beat their neighbours. It seems that it is shaping up for a big spectacle at Barker when they host Knox with a large crowd in what may be one of the largest Covid spreader events since the Ruby Princess. This should be a fascinating game with two powerful sides. Over the whole Rugby season Barker seems to have had the better results and they are always strong at home. With the strong crowd support seemingly infectious across players, spectators, caterers and officialdom. I think Barker might aim for a 10 man game, as they might have the stronger forwards and their skillful and classy 5/8 can direct traffic. Knox might have the edge in the backs with some players who know how to score tries. It should be a great game. Though that said it might be a nail biter or a seemingly surprisingly easy victory to one side.
I think all three games should offer something and there are probably worse things to do on a glorious August Sydney afternoon.
Initial feelings are that my head says the home teams while the heart wished for something else. The weather looks good, so the fields should allow for some good open games.
Cranbrook hosts St Aloysius and should win comfortably to show off the refurbished oval. Cranbrook has been a bit of a surprise packet this year and are a well balanced side who can threaten and play an attractive style. It hasn't been the best year for Aloys, but they are tenacious and are willing to throw the ball about. They have a couple of good players, but this year they are missing some size and perhaps one or two more great players. Hopefully we won't see the one sided affair as last week. It will be a willing game and should be a pleasing spectacle.
Waverley should be too strong for Trinity at Queens Park. I think both sides have lacked some cohesion this year that have let them down. Waverley, being Waverley, will always threaten: their backs will probably put on a bit of a show against Trinity. When they are good Trinity can match it with the best, but they seem to fall away at times. It isn't due to lack of effort or spirit, but they are missing something intangible. Though some points will be scored I don't think it will be a blow out.
At Waitara I favor Barker to beat their neighbours. It seems that it is shaping up for a big spectacle at Barker when they host Knox with a large crowd in what may be one of the largest Covid spreader events since the Ruby Princess. This should be a fascinating game with two powerful sides. Over the whole Rugby season Barker seems to have had the better results and they are always strong at home. With the strong crowd support seemingly infectious across players, spectators, caterers and officialdom. I think Barker might aim for a 10 man game, as they might have the stronger forwards and their skillful and classy 5/8 can direct traffic. Knox might have the edge in the backs with some players who know how to score tries. It should be a great game. Though that said it might be a nail biter or a seemingly surprisingly easy victory to one side.
I think all three games should offer something and there are probably worse things to do on a glorious August Sydney afternoon.
