Looking ahead to this weekend:
Stannies Vs St Pat's in Bathurst- predicting a very tight and traditionally firey encounter. St Pats played well to a tight loss against a formidable Oakhill side, whilst Stannies came close to Kinross and have had relatively mixed trial form against GPS heavyweight squads. My pick is St Pats to get up in a tight one by 7 points. For St Pats it is a matter of turning possession and territory into points through discipline in the forwards and selflessness in the backline. Stannies will undoubtedly leave St Pats for dead in enthusiasm and if there execution is right they could put the final nail in St Pats ISA coffin.
Oakhill Vs St Greg's- Not sure what to make of this one. Oakhill proved they definetly have potential to win again this year with their incredible defensive effort against St Pats. Given Greg's form late last year defeating St Augustine's coupled with losses to the likes of St Andrews it is difficult to place them. I feel Oakhill wiill win by 10+ as they have the homeground advantage and the likes of Cotton in the backline and the discipline and pick n drive of the Oakhill forward will wear down the league oriented Greg's boys. The likes of Currie, Green and Kagiassis won't make this an easy task for the Oakhill.
Kinross Vs St Augustine's- Easily has the potential to be the match of the day. Playing in Orange isn't easy for any team and the rise of Kinross rugby in previous years will see a greater challenge for Auggies. I feel that Auggies will pull home a 7 point win but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if the simple hard running and good tackling of Kinross could wear the St Augustine's arsenal thin. If Kniross won it would be great for the competition, but I think the Auggies will just get them.