Club Corner is back for another week, and after a blistering opening round of rugby in Canberra and Adelaide, all club competitions will settling into regular rounds, as teams look to set a solid foundation for later in the season.
With all competitions acknowledging ANZAC Day, expect plenty of great clashes and thrilling contests to commemorate our veterans.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FOUR
Round Three saw one of the most hotly contested rounds of the last few years, with several surprise results. Eastwood were pushed all the way by the Two Blues, as were Sydney Uni at home against the Wildfires. Norths remain on top of the ladder and remain the only undefeated team after overcoming Randwick at Coogee, and the biggest surprise was West Harbour Pirates continued their strong form at the revamped Concord Oval, powering away to a strong win over Souths.
This weekend is going to serve up several rivalry clashes, making picking Match of the Round very difficult. A top-of-the-table clash looms in the Hunter as the Wildfires welcome an in-form West Harbour side, the Two Blues will look to repeat last year’s surprise result when they host Sydney Uni at Eric Tweedle, and Gordon will host Eastwood at Chatswood.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Manly v Norths
Choose we must, and for us it's the clash of the A8 as Norths head down to face the Marlins at picturesque Manly Oval. The Shoreman have had a strong start to the season, overcoming several big scalps to sit top of the ladder. The Marlins however have been looking similarly dangerous, making up for their loss in Newcastle in round one with two wins over Eastwood and Eastern Suburbs.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Gordon v Eastwood
Souths v Warringah
Two Blues v Sydney Uni
Randwick v Eastern Suburbs
Hunter Wildfires v West Harbour
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Rising Player
On the subject of exciting players, keep an eye out for Jude Gibbs at Norths. His combo pairing with Nick Duffy has proven lethal, not just cause he has been unable to unleash the Norths backline, but also because of his strong kicking. Manly will have their work cut out this weekend.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND FOUR
Round Four sees the Hospital Challenge Cup in an interesting place, following strong performances by GPS, Brothers and Easts to put away very determined outfits in Souths, Bond Uni and Norths. Even more thrilling was the grand final rematch, which saw Wests and UQ unable to be split, going home with a 31-all draw.
Souths sit atop the ladder (albeit only by points differential) and they’ll enjoy a bye this week, but in other clashes Bond Uni will take on Sunnybank, Easts will face UQ, and Norths will have a tough task taking on the only undefeated side in Brothers.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests v GPS
With the ladder as close as it is, this match looms as an exciting clash between two sides looking to kick-start their seasons after mixed results. Both have shown they have the ticker to be Top Four contenders, but whether that translates to results is another thing entirely. As premiers, Wests will likely come into this match as favourites, but after GPS’ win over a strong Souths outfit, this match could go either way.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Souths - BYE
Bond University v Sunnybank
Easts v UQ
Norths v Brothers
Wests v GPS
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Rising Player
Shoutout to scrumhalf Eli Pilz over at Easts for a solid performance with both the boot and in open play in his sides win over Norths. His combination with Jake Pappin proved incredibly effective and will put the squad in good stead going into the UQ clash this weekend.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIVE
With every single game in the Fortescue Premier Grade decided by a margin of seven or less in round four, it’s fair to say the competition has truly kicked off in WA. Even more thrilling was the fact that two games were decided by one point, with UWA getting the chocolates over Palmyra and Nedlands overcoming a determined Southern Lions.
This weekend, Kalamunda will have the bye, as Associates take on Perth Bayswater, UWA take on Neldands, and Palmyra face Joondalup.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Cottesloe v Wests Scarborough (Live on Stan Sport)
Another great rivalry will continue this weekend down on the beaches, as the Gulls look to heap more misery on the defending premiers. Wests currently sit at the bottom of the ladder, the only side not to have registered a win so far. However, their match against Associates was a strong indication that they’re not far away from returning to form, and despite being away from home, will make a game of it for the Gulls.
Other Fixtures
Kalamunda - BYE
Associates v Perth Bayswater
UWA v Nedlands
Southern Lions v Wanneroo (YouTube Live Stream)
Palmyra v Joondalup
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Rising Player
UWA’s Rory O’Sullivan, take a bow! Recognised as the player of the opening month of the competition, this young flyhalf is a great find and potential future Force player in waiting. He proved instrumental in the win over a well-drilled Palmyra, and will likely prove vital if UWA are to end their near decade long premiership drought.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND TWO
Following such a close competition last year, round one of Canberra’s premier competition saw a complete flip, with commanding wins to the likes of Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and Canberra Royals.
This weekend will spice things up with the return of the premiership winning Queanbeyan Whites to the competition, as they make the trip up the highway to face Penrith. Uni-Norths will take on Wests Lions on campus, while the Eagles enjoy the bye.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Tuggeranong v Canberra Royals
Vikings. Royals. When it comes to club rugby clashes in Canberra (even arguably nationally), this is the pinnacle. Both sides put in big wins over the Emus and Lions respectively, but there is no doubt both had one eye on this clash. Viking Park will be the place to be this Saturday.
Other Fixtures
Gungahlin Eagles - BYE
Penrith Emus v Queanbeyan Whites
Uni-North Owls v Wests Lions
Rising Player
Cameron Holt had an outstanding game for the Vikings last week, putting in a great performance in at set piece and in the lineout. He’ll be up against a strong Royals pack, but by the looks of things he’ll be more than up for it!
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWO
Round One of the Coopers Premier Grade served up some big wins for Southern Suburbs, Elizabeth and Burnside, but the talk of the town was easily the stunning win of Old Collegians over premiers Brighton in champagne rugby fashion, with Tristan Coetzer proving the hero with a length of the field intercept try!
This weekend sees several great clashes looming in line with ANZAC Day. Woodville will come off the bye for their first game of the year against Port Adelaide, and Old Collegians will have a tough assignment on their hands as they travel to face the ever-improving Elizabeth.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Brighton v Burnside (Live on Facebook - Rugby Union South Australia)
The stand out clash is the grand final rematch between a Brighton side hungry to make amends to last week's loss, and Burnside, fresh off a big win, with the ANZAC Cup up for grabs for 2023. It will also be a special occasion for Tigers prop Rhys Fishwick, with the big man cracking 200 games.
Other Fixtures
Adelaide Uni - BYE
Elizabeth v Old Collegians
Woodville v Port Adelaide
Onkaparinga v Southern Suburbs
Enjoy your club rugby this long weekend, wherever you are!
