Best of luck to all teams this weekend. All matches promise to be top shelf games. Kings trying to claw back from the depths of hell after a Scots drubbing, Scots out to try and knock a young and enthusiastic Shore side, and the classic battle of the Saints!
For what it's worth here are what i am tipping as the key match ups/deciders in this weekends games:
Kings V New:
The Kings backs need to tackle, straight forward and simple. They dont have the strength to bust the Newington backline, so they should be trying to take New in the forwards and beat them with speed. If this isn't on and New have fast easy breakdown ball, their backs will prove to strong i think, and based on the flimsy defence against Scots, it could get ugly, although i am backing the Kings boys to show some pride and really be up for this! Davies v Lussick will be a belter of a match up as will the inside centres (he was Kings best 2 weeks ago).
Scots V Shore:
I dont think this will be the battle of the 10's. Based on Kellaway's defence last week, Clancy probably ownt be trying to race through the 9/10 or 10/12 channel, but will be trying to shift the ball wider and strike out wide. I am tipping Scots to try and run Shore off the park like they did against Kings. If the Scots forwards are up for it again, the Shore centres will be working hard and their young back row better have their runnign boots on to match the Scots offload game. Key match ups in this one will be the Back row, if Shore can step up and close out the impact of Kamp, Dunbar and Crichton, this could be a very tight game. Look for a big impact from the Scots tight 5, i think they may well prove the difference in mobility.
Clash of the Saints (View v Joeys):
This one should be a cracker, evenly matched accross the park by all accounts. Again it will be the back row working hard. Their work will determine how well both backlines flourish, and we all know (well by everyone else's account), both backlines love to run and attack. If Sandell can run like an extra 6, Joeys may well have that extra bit of punch at the breakdown that could put Deegan on the front foot, and if he can distribute well, it is his outside men who will do the damage, and Deegan loves a big stage! Am keen to see the result of this weeks game and the report of how well (or not) the young flyhalf steps up.
Anyway, on a parting note and just to get the blood flowing, here is the higlights reel from the Scots v Kings game. My young bloke just sent it through. On reflection, probably not the most accurate recount of how the game really unfolded, but god its great to see the big locks thundering away from the 22 for a meat pie each!, Also the Scots winger (Crafts) is dead set electric, a damn good start to his personal highlights reel!
Anyway enjoy and best of luck to all the boys this weekend!