Tough to pick after just two games, but we should know a great deal more about how the competition is shaping up by Saturday evening. My prediction is that by that time Knox and Cranbrook will be the only undefeated teams in the comp.
Trinity v Knox
In two rounds Knox have continued to build on impressive pre-season form and has already scored an incredible 96 points. However, they’ve also let through 38 in just two games, including 31 last week, so Trinity will feel that if they can defend well, utilise their very solid set piece play and eliminate errors, then they can pull off the first big upset of the 2014 CAS season. Trinity has scored 65 and conceded 28 in two games, with only Cranbrook's defence being more parsimonious at this early stage of the season (24 conceded), and with Trinity only letting through 8 points against Aloys last week. Knox surely start as fairly strong favourites and are plainly a good front running side, but if Trinity can put in a big defensive effort, contain Knox’s attack and build scoreboard pressure for long enough into the game it could get interesting. Trinity looks to be an improving side, having improved markedly in each half of football they have played this year, while Knox was massively hyped pre-season and has not disappointed in attack, with 15 tries their first two outings. In what looks like the match of the round I’m expecting that Knox’s attacking prowess will see the team from Wahroonga come out on top.
Waverley v Cranbrook
Waverley hosts Cranbrook, who will be looking to build on two comprehensive victories to gain further momentum before a mouth-watering clash against Knox a week later. It’s hard to fault Cranbrook’s start to the season, with two comfortable wins, having conceded only three tries in two games and with Renton’s accurate kicking adding a clinical element to the disposals of Aloys and Barker. That said, Cranbrook has possibly played the two weakest attacking sides in the competition to date and Paterson’s penetration from fly-half for Waverley will likely see the Cranbrook line broken more often than it was by either Barker or Aloys, neither of whose attack has clicked into gear yet in 2014. Waverley’s big worry will be having conceded 98 points in the first two rounds, but things change quickly in schoolboy rugby and I’m sure the Waverley boys will run out at Queen’s Park with a point to prove defensively. I predict Cranbrook to take the points, but for an improving Waverley to make them work hard for it.
Barker v St Aloysius
In the final game of the round Barker hosts Aloys. These teams have managed to score just 39 points between them in the first two rounds. By contrast, on their own, Knox has managed a whopping 96, Cranbrook 66, Trinity 65 and Waverley 51. Both sides will be looking to improve, and Barker will be looking to put a difficult first two games against Knox and Cranbrook behind them and get their season going. I’m expecting Barker’s home ground advantage to see them home, but Aloys are in with a red hot chance of leaving Barker improbably winless three rounds in.
