Division 3 Round 8 predictions:
The second round of fixtures kicks off this week and boy is it a doozy, 1 plays 2, 3 plays 4, 5 plays 6 and 7 plays 8., plenty on the line and a good chance to see who's improved from Round 1 two months ago.
Sydney Irish v Merrylands: Game of the round and game of the year in the regular season, the undefeated Irish, fresh off a solid win vs Valley take on Merrylands who are undefeated bar their week 1 clash vs Irish (a 29-26 nail biter) and fresh off a demolition job against Knox in the wet. Merrylands organising a big bus to South Coogee to ensure a large player and supporter presence, should be a cracker. I keep waiting for Irish to fall off but they just keep winning, I'll go against them one last time, probably for the last time this regular season. Merrylands by 7.
Knox v Hawkesbury Valley: The best of the rest square off this week, both sides desperate for a win to stay in the hunt for the top 4. Knox won 17-7 all the way back in week 1 but you have to imagine a lot has changed since then. Knox was throttled by Merrylands before the week off and will be keen to make amends. I'll take Knox in a close one - though you never know which Valley turns up. Home field a large factor as the Valley boys will be stepping into unfamiliar territory at Lofberg Oval for the first time. Knox by 10.
Sydney Harbour vs Sydney Harlequins: Sydney H east edition takes on Sydney H inner city edition in this clash, both sides appear evenly matched on paper and the best outside of the runaway top 2. A short trip over to Rose Bay shouldn't hurt the Quinns lads too much - who's run of form includes a demo job on LCOI, a decent scrap against Merrylands and a solid win over BOBs, whilst Harbour has been limping lately, with unconvincing wins against BOBs and LCOI and a drubbing at home vs the Irish. The form says take the Quinns, but style makes fights, and Harbour got up convincingly in round 1. Tough one to pick, but I'll go Harbour at home in Rose Bay in a coin flip. Harbour by 3.
Old Barker vs Lane Cove Old Ignations: The cellar dwellers square off in a clash that will have major implications for the spoon 'race' as the year progresses, potentially both sides last chance to notch a victory this year, although BOBs have been better of late. LCOI won this clash in round 1 in a high scoring 42-31 win but havent sniffed a result in the last 5 weeks, whilst BOBs went down narrowly to Harbour last week in one of their better showings. I'm taking BOBs to get off the mark here and move off the bottom of the ladder. Keep an eye on those bonus points rest of the way boys! Barker by 10.
Yours in park footy,
PFE.
