Last weekend saw all George Tooke Shield and league tag games postponed due to the grounds being deemed unfit to play on. The heavy rain had left most grounds waterlogged and these games will be rescheduled to be played on a spare weekend late in the season.
There are just six regular season rounds left, including a bye to be taken by all sides. With only a maximum of ten competition points available, every game now becomes critical to both the Boorowa Rovers and Roverettes. The Rovers are currently in fifth spot and are four points adrift of fourth placed Bungendore. Realistically, Boorowa can forget about a top three spot with third placed Crookwell four wins ahead of them. Fourth spot could well be determined in the final week of the season when Boorowa will clash the reigning premiers, Bungendore. The Harden Hawks lead the competition by one point and have yet to taste defeat this season. The Hawks are beatable, though, with the Rovers rattling their cage in a narrow loss last month.
Realistically, any of the top five teams could win the competition but winning from fourth or fifth will be a tough task with the leading sides so evenly matched. The Rovers have lost three matches against teams above them by seven points or less, showing they can upset any opponent come semi-final time. But first things first: this week, Boorowa will host the Googong Goannas. Googong have struggled to contain opposition attacks, and this week should be no different. Boorowa should make the most of home-ground advantage and boost their for-and-against differential. Boorowa now have more depth on the bench and haven’t been too impacted by injury worries so far this season.
The Boorowa Roverettes are in a similar position as the Rovers, currently holding down fifth spot on the ladder. They have improved as the season has gone on and can make an impact in the finals should they make it. The benchmark team is still the Harden Hawkettes, closely followed by North Canberra, whilst Crookwell currently round out the top three. Like the men’s team, the Roverettes need a big victory this weekend to ensure their top five spot remains secure.
This Saturday sees just the two games played with Boorowa against Googong and a mouth-watering clash in the George Tooke Shield between Harden and Crookwell. The remainder of the teams, Bungendore, UC Stars, North Canberra, and the Snowy River Bears all have their last bye.
The run home is upon us, and every win is critical so get down to your local ground to see some top class rugby league this Saturday.
-Sand Boy
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