Club Corner is back for another week, and as the business end of the season begins, the reinforcements start to arrive.
Premier Grade competitions will see an influx of Super Rugby players. With many competition ladders as tight as they are, expect this cavalry of players to have a significant impact on the final make up of results.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND TWELVE
Norths have moved back up to the top of the ladder following a thrilling win over the Two Blues at North Sydney Oval, reclaiming the top of the ladder in a seemingly see-sawing contest with the Wildfires. Combined with wins for Eastwood and Manly, and the Shute Shield suddenly finds itself in a situation where only three points separates first and fifth. Unbelievable.
Even more critically, many top of the table clashes loom this weekend. Randwick will host a rejuvenated Sydney Uni, Manly will welcome the Wildfires, and Eastwood travel west to face a team that has downed many a side, Western Sydney.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Gordon v Norths
One of the great Shute Shield derbies continues this weekend, and it is a critical one for the Highlanders. After a bad showing against the Marlins, they also fell in a competitive game at Coogee Oval, and the result sees them clinging onto sixth place. With Uni set to be strengthened by it’s Super Rugby contingent, they need to turn things around quickly. Norths by comparison hold a slender lead on top of the ladder. With things as tight as they are, no one can afford to drop a game now.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Randwick v Sydney Uni
Souths v West Harbour
Eastern Suburbs v Warringah
Manly v Hunter Wildfires
Two Blues v Eastwood
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Rising Player
A Tuggeranong Viking gets the shoutout this week, Luke Gersekowski has been in fantastic form for Norths, amassing an incredible 151 tackles over the course of the season. Yet again, another example of how strong Australia’s depth in loose forwards is.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND THIRTEEN
A round of big surprises came in Round Twelve, as the Queensland contingent of Super Rugby players made their presence known. UQ grabbed a crucial win over Wests, Bond Uni grabbed the top of the ladder with a win over Brothers, Easts prevailed over a determined Norths side, and GPS grabbed a away win over the Magpies to keep their season alive.
This weekend Sunnybank host the Bullsharks, GPS look to back their strong win up with a clash against Wests, and Brothers welcome the Eagles.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - UQ v Easts
UQ came roaring back to life last weekend, grabbing a crucial win over the ladder premiers to let the competition that they’re not down and out yet. Up against them is a dangerous Easts side, who have nailed their premiership credentials so far this season. With them winning this corresponding fixture earlier this, expect them to come hungry to repeat the feat and derail a Red Heavies late season charge.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Souths - BYE
UQ v Easts
Sunnybank v Bond University
GPS v Wests
Brothers v Norths
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Rising Player
Shoutout to Norths Taelyn Nukunuku, who put in a stellar defensive performance in his sides loss to Easts. Amassing 124 tackles so far across the season, his combination with Connor Higgins is proving to be highly effective for the blossoming Eagles side.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
It was a case of thrillers and blown out scores for Round Thirteen of the Fortescue Premier Grade. Wanneroo gave UWA a huge fright at home, Wests Scarborough and Cottesloe powered to big wins, and Palmyra and Perth Bayswater played out a thrilling draw.
The result sees UWA return to a four point lead at the top of the ladder, but it’s fair to say their position from secure. This weekend they host Joondalup, Nedlands take on Kalamunda, and Palmyra face a potential banana skin in Wanneroo.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Cottesloe v Associates (Live On Stan Sport)
Where else but the Battle of Broome Street? Arguably the biggest rivalry in clubland WA returns, and with things being as they are in the ladder, it’s not just bragging rights up for grabs. Only a few points separates both teams in the top of the ladder, and with Wests on the bye a much needed win here would be critical if both are looking to chase down the Students. There is a lot to play for at Harvey Field this weekend!
Other Fixtures
Wests Scarborough - BYE
UWA v Joondalup
Nedlands v Kalamunda
Palmyra v Wanneroo
Southern Lions v Perth Bayswater
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Rising Player
Luke Callan has been in great form playing at lock out at Wanneroo. A regular feature in the competitions team of the week, he confirmed his form with a strong outing against the current ladder leaders. Expect him to feature much more this season.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND ELEVEN
Oh, so close for the Penrith Emus! The men from Nepean Park came agonisingly short in their clash with current premiers Queanbeyan, losing 22-29 in a game that would’ve handed the Emus their first win in Grade since joining the competition. Round Eleven also saw the Vikings continue their dominant form, nearly putting fifty on Uni-Norths.
This weekend will see the competition back underway in full, with the Emus welcoming the Royals to Nepean Rugby Park, and Uni-Norths hosting Gungahlin.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Tuggeranong Vikings v Wests Lions
The Vikings are in ridiculous form, holding a mammoth thirteen point lead at the top of the table. The next closest to them is West Lions, and if the comp suggests anything it is that a win here is critical for the chasing pack. For the Vikings, should they dominant Wests here it becomes a case of the Cup already being theirs for the taking, which in turn, can breed complacency. But this is the position they’re in, and they’ve earnt it to get there.
Other Fixtures
Queanbeyan Whites - BYE
Penrith Emus v Canberra Royals
Uni-North Owls v Gungahlin Eagles
Rising Player
Dylan McLachlan has a strong outing for the Royals so far this season, putting in a great performance at flyhalf when they dispatched the Whites. When he’s on form, the rest of the team fall in around him, an much of the Royals season will likely rest on his shoulders.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND EIGHT
The Dewar Shield is flying by, with round seven producing several big surprises. Harlequins maintain their strong record with a dominant win over Melbourne University, Melbourne Unicorns and Endeavour Hills all grabbed wins, and Moorabbin and Footscray played out a thrilling draw.
This weekend Uni hosts Box Hill, Power House take on the Rams and Footscray return home to play Endeavour Hills
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Melbourne Unicorns v Harlequins
Can anyone stop the Quins? If there is anyone, traditional heavyweights in the competition the Unicorns might be a shot. Looking much stronger last week, the chance to have home field advantage will be welcome for Melbourne, as they look to push for finals. The Quins proved decisive in the corresponding encounter earlier this year, so expect it to go down to the wire!
Other Fixtures
Power House v Moorabbin
Melbourne University v Box Hill
Footscray v Endeavour Hills
Rising Player
Charles Alaimalo is our first Unicorn to feature this year, and it is well deserved following his strong performance at Number 8 against Box Hill. Making a nuisance of himself on park, expect him to put in a big shift again against the Quins.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TEN
Brighton hold a slender lead at the top of the ladder in the Coopers Premier Grade, following another tight win over a strong Southern Suburbs side. Burnside also edged Woodville to continue their strong form, setting up the makings of a two-way horse race in Premier Grade.
This weekend, Elizabeth play Port Adelaide, Brighton take on Old Collegians, Onkas welcome Burnside to Wilfred Taylor Reserve, and Uni play Souths.
Fixtures
Woodville - BYE
Elizabeth v Port Adelaide
Brighton v Old Collegians (Live on Rugby Union South Australia - Facebook)
Onkaparinga v Burnside
Adelaide Uni v Souths
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVEN
Taroona hold a slender lead as the Tasmanian Premier Grade heads into the latter stages of it’s regular season, following a big win over Quins. Launceston also knocked over the Burnie Emus, while Uni and Glenorchy also bagged wins.
This weekend the Penguins will host the Students at Rugby Park, the Lions will take on the Quins, the Stags face a tough assignment in the Tigers and Burnie Emus welcome Devonport.
Fixtures
Taroona v University of Tasmania
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Harlequins
Glenorchy v Launceston
Burnie Emus v Devonport
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
