With two matches to play before the half way point in the rugby league season and no games this past weekend, it’s time to ponder the season which is left. As in 2013, the premiers Binalong sit astride the top of the table on 10 competition points.
In second position are the Magpies on 8 points and performing pretty well ahead of the Harden Hawks who had an ‘expensive’ draw at home against the Bungendore Tigers on May 17. The Hawks must now travel to Bungendore on July 12 to regain their ascendancy against the Tigers.
Unfortunately, George Tooke Shield has only seven teams for 2014 and with The Highlanders and UC Cows failing to nominate, we find the winless Boorowa Rovers and Crookwell Devils at the bottom of the table. Most observers tend to discount either club in an attempt on the title for this season.
So, we are left with a resurgent Bungendore Tigers who are much improved on 2013 where they finished out of the top four. The Tigers were 2012 grand finalists who were well beaten by the now defunct Hall Hornets. We understand that in round one at McLean Oval, the Tigers forced the issue for the 18-all against Harden.
It is a brave commentator who is prepared to discount the Boomanulla Raiders. Based at Narrabundah, they are the only ACT team and very unpredictable. The Raiders don’t play a structured game and are opportunists by nature. With their brilliant centre Gavin Johnson and ex-Magpie prop Anthony Merritt, Boomanulla can put points on an opposition from anywhere on the paddock.
However, ravaged by injuries the Raiders will probably finish outside the top four in 2014. So, to Harden Hawks who have the advantage of a game against traditional rivals Binalong at McLean Oval on July 19th. A win at home will do a lot for Harden’s aspirations for this season. Winger Riley Mainwaring is pivotal on their game and captain/coach Luke Brown might well combine with Abed Atallah and Tyson Astill to knock the premiers over in this game.
Yass Magpies captain/coach McDonough has welded a very good playing roster together in 2014 and has added James Buser to the squad. With Josh Hall and Tim Reagan at the back, this squad could well upset the competition. More than just a few observers would like to see Brett Waters back at second row to add a little starch to McDonough’s roster. But the Magpies are leaking almost 17 points per game.
By contrast, Yass let in an average of 22 points per game in 2013 which was well below the 11 points conceded by Harden last season. Points scored for both Yass and Harden in 2014 are roughly the same at just over 11 points per game.
It is however the masterful led Rawlinson Brahmans who are favoured to take the competition for this season. But the Binalong team are not defending as well as they did in 2013. Last season, over 18 rounds (with 2 byes included) the premiers conceded only 2.6 points per game. This year they are conceding an average of almost 7 points per game, a far cry from last season?
What can we expect from now on? The 9th of August might be the game to see at Walker Park. Binalong must try to take out the Yass Magpies to grab the Minor Premiership. This will be the final George Tooke Shield home and away game for 2014.
For the Magpies; the match at McLean Oval against the Hawks on July 5th will be a must see game as this will give Yass or Harden the opportunity to grab second position and a vital crack at unseating rivals Binalong, however Bungendore are still my “dark horse”. Interesting times await. Possibly a big match-up and pivotal will be on July 21st at Binalong Recreation Ground between Binalong and Yass.
Bos indicus.