Belconnen United Scholars (3) v Tuggeranong Bushrangers (4) on Sunday at 3:00pm at Raiders Belconnen
Belconnen United’s quest to register back-to-back titles hangs by a thread as they face the most improved side of 2013, Tuggeranong, in a sudden-death semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
Scholars’ Coach John Hawke has admitted that his side, minus Les McIntyre Medalist Brent Crisp, has been a far cry from the Belconnen United outfit that led from start to finish in 2012.
“It was hard to adjust to life without Crispy, he won a few games on his own last year, but we’ve been building our form slowly and the semi-finals are a whole different ball game,” Hawke said.
The focus for Hawke and his side the over the previous two weeks was to secure themselves a home semi-final. This is an especially valuable advantage given the Bushrangers’ strength at home.
“A home final in the first round is something that is very valuable for us,” Hawke said. “We obviously want to go back-to-back this year and a home final will help with that if we turn up with the right attitude.”
A further incentive for the Scholars’ to not relinquish the trophy this year is the fact that it may well be Hawke and Captain Channon McAskill’s last year at the club before they both retire to spend more time with their families.
Both have given tremendous service to their clubs and the competition as a whole and their teammates will be highly motivated to send their respectable pair out winners if they do go through with the decision.
Although they haven’t been at their best this season, Belconnen United still have the talent and big-match experience to have a shot at the title.
Meanwhile for Tuggeranong, after coming second last in 2012 the Bushrangers are unlikely to be content with just making the first round of the semi-finals, they wish to go all the way.
The Bushrangers possess some of the competitions most dangerous attacking players in fullback Michael Brophy and halfback Carl Johnson, both of whom represented CRRL in the Country Championships earlier this year.
While the aforementioned pair will no doubt trouble the Scholars’ defensive structure with their unpredictability, speed and footwork, ultimately the Bushrangers’ forwards will need to aim up against Belconnen United’s renowned pack of forwards led by CRRL representatives Tsai Tui and Aiden Greenwood.
Belconnen United’s strength lies in their forward pack however if Tuggeranong can match them here it could be anyone’s game.
Source: Raiders Press Release
Topic: Canberra Raiders Cup Semi Final Preview: Belconnen United V Tuggeranong
