Div 3 Round 14 (last of the reg season!) Predictions
Merrylands (1) at Knox (4): Match of the round for me. Club champs on the line (though Irish will have a say in that), Merrylands on the road at Lofberg for Knox Ladies Day should make for an interesting encounter. Last time out Knox was thumped 43-7 at Holroyd, they'll be keen to make amends in front of a home crowd against an unstoppable Merrylands outfit. Knox has found potentially the player of the competition at number 8, but he can only do so much, and Merrylands' backline has been consistently slick all year. I don't see this being too much like round 1, but I still think Merrylands will spoil the party. Merrylands by 12. I'll take Knox 2s though, and Knox colts vs. Chatswood to complete a perfect regular season.
Old Barker (8) at Sydney Harbour (3): The wounded Harbour get a tune up game before finals against a Barker outfit that has lost any momentum they seemed to pick up in the middle of the season. Harbour will need the softer week after losing Garrels and Lorang in a 69 point drubbing at the hands of Irish last week. Harbour have an opportunity to show Knox they're ready for their minor semi final encounter next week. I think Barker's woes continue even against an undermanned Harbour, though I have been impressed by their big 12 in recent weeks. Harbour by 10.
Sydney Irish (2) at Hawkesbury Valley (5): Valley had a seasons best performance last week away at Barker and will be looking to finish the regular season strong, but Irish are a different beast all together and just rattled the finals bound Harbour. I'd like to give Valley a punchers chance at home, but that big Irish forward pack and classy 9/10 will be too much for the Valley boys to handle, no matter how good they looked last week. Irish by 20.
Lane Cove Old Ignations (7) at Sydney Harlequinns (6): It seems like just last week the Quinns were finals hopefuls, an upset loss to Valley, a mid week rattling by Knox and a forfeit two days later to Merrylands and they've dropped to 6, below the aforementioned Hawkesbury lads. A revitalised LCOI on the other hand have been two penalties away from beating finals bound Harbour and Knox in recent weeks. This would be game of the round if there were absolutely anything on the line, however I suspect the Quinns have truly mailed it in, so even at home, I think this new look LCOI outfit have what it takes to get the job done in a bruising encounter. LCOI by 5.
Yours in patiently waiting for the finals to start,
PFE
