CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION
PREVIEW
SATURDAY, 28th JULY, 2012
ROUND 15
This Saturday sees several very interesting and also potentially very close matches. These matches are also very important in terms of what teams will make the semi-finals this year. Two matches in particular are significant. Terrigal are at home to Ourimbah at The Haven Oval, and Kariong are at home to Avoca Beach at Kariong Oval. Both these games involve teams who are involved in a neck and neck battle for Premiership honours.
Avoca Beach travel to Kariong Oval to play Kariong in what should be a cliff-hanger. Avoca Beach are currently leading the competition with Kariong are just behind them in second spot. These two teams are both in top form and both have not lost a game for several weeks. Avoca Beach were convincing winners last week and will go into this match as slight favourites because of their position on the competition ladder and because of their great recent form. Kariong however are also in good form, and being at home, would feel very confident of getting the win and joining Avoca Beach at the top of the competition. This match will tell us a lot about the Premiership credentials of both these teams. Both have good all round teams – they have strong forward packs, quick and effective backlines, and reliable goal kickers. Avoca Beach will try to run the big Kariong forward pack around and will base their match on mobility and speed to the breakdown. Kariong will try to keep the ball in the forwards and to work play though the middle of the field. Kariong however do have speed out wide and with the possible return of Derrick Peachey they have the speed to counteract the very good backline possessed by the visitors. This will be an enthralling match and will go right down to the wire.
Much of the same can be said for the game at The Haven Oval between Terrigal and Ourimbah. It will be close and gripping. These two teams are fourth and fifth respectively and a win would be seen as absolutely critical for both teams. A loss would see that team in a difficult position in reaching the semi-finals although there are still several very tight matches to go this season. Ourimbah would be most disappointed in their game last week. They were unable to score any tries in that match, and this would be a concern to the Ourimbah coaching staff. Ourimbah need to score tries and to do it this Saturday would be the key for them. Terrigal have had three very good, even though a couple were close, wins recently and have climbed back into the Top Four. This is such a vital game. Ourimbah will try to keep the game in the forwards as their forward pack has been in outstanding form. Terrigal will need to meet that challenge and then try to spread the ball wide to put the visitor’s defence to the full test. This will be a most spirited clash and this game will go right down to the 80th minute.
The neighbouring clubs of Northlakes and Warnervale meet at Slade Park and this will also be a very close game. Both these teams really enjoy defeating the other so there will be nothing left on the paddock at the end of this game by any of the players involved. Northlakes were relatively easy winners in their first round clash and they will want to do that again. However Warnervale have been far more effective in recent weeks and would love to get the win this time around. Both teams will toss the ball around so the clash should be a good one for those who get to Slade Park to watch on Saturday.
Gosford should be too strong for The Entrance this Saturday at Gosford Showground. The Entrance gave a wholehearted effort last Saturday but Gosford will hold too much firepower for The Entrance team this weekend. Gosford know they must win with a bonus point but they also know they will meet a team who will never back down.