Club Corner is back for another weekend, and with the opening rounds now out of the way, all competitions are now settling in to the long marathon run of the season.
Big clashes loom in all major club competitions, so the club rugby faithful should look forward to what will be an exciting weekend.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND SIX
If you needed any further proof as to the growth of the Hunter Wildfires, there is no further indication than now, with them sitting atop the pile after a thrilling round. With the exception of Eastwood’s defeat of Souths, Round Five saw all games be decided by a converted try or less, highlighting how well the playing field has levelled. It’s exciting times in Sydney clubland!
This weekend, Randwick return to Coogee to face the Marlins, Eastern Suburbs welcome Sydney Uni to Woollahra for an Eastern Suburbs derby, Warringah face a tough assignment at home against the Wildfires, and a fantastic grudge match looms North Sydney Oval when the Shoremen welcome Eastwood.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - West Harbour v Gordon
As much as there are great derbies looming, with even the Souths v Two Blues clash promising a great arm wrestle, it’s hard to go past this upcoming clash at Concord Oval. The Pirates are looking the best they have in years, not only are they sitting in the top half of the ladder, but their win over Manly last week showed that they have it in them to go higher. Gordon will be wary of this clash, however they’ve won three of their last four games since their loss to Souths in round one. Expect a fantastic clash across all grades this weekend!
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Randwick v Manly
Souths v Two Blues
Eastern Suburbs v Sydney Uni
Warringah v Hunter Wildfires
Norths v Eastwood
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Rising Player
Speaking of the Pirates, the debut of their hooker Albert Alcock on the weekend was one to remember, with the young gun putting in a stellar performance at set piece to give the Pirates the edge over a strong Marlins pack. Cut from the Aussie Under 20s squad for the World Cup, Alcock couldn’t have responded in a better way, showing maturity beyond his years and looming as a great talent to watch for NSW rugby fans.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND SIX
Sticking with the increasingly running theme of congested ladders in Australian rugby, the Hospital Cup saw a similarly dogged round, with all games bar Easts win over GPS being decided by less than a converted try. A special shoutout to Norths, who finally ended their losing streak with a thrilling come from behind win away from home over Sunnybank.
Some great clashes loom this weekend, with Wests enjoying the bye. Norths will take on the rising challengers in Bond University, Sunnybank will host the Red Heavies and Easts will welcome a resurgent Souths squad who are proving to be more than a handful for many teams this year.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Brothers v GPS
It’s hard to go past this clash. One of the great rivalries in Queensland rugby, the Brethren will be chomping at the bit for this match after their win over UQ, and with only one competition point separating them from Easts at the top of the ladder, they’ll be up for this one. GPS will hurting following their loss to Easts in their Bunter Bowl clash, but they’ve shown on recent form that they have the ability to bounce back strongly. Few things will get them keen more than a clash against Brothers!
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Wests - BYE
Sunnybank v UQ
Easts v Souths
Norths v Bond University
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Rising Player
Going back to the Dragons-Eagles clash, so many great players put their hands for contention in this game, but the standout was Eagles Number Eight, Jeff Ikani, who brought great physicality to the Eagles pack, and after being on the pitch for a full game, was rewarded with two tries for his efforts.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVEN
Can anyone stop the Students? UWA haven’t won the biggest cup in WA club rugby in nearly a decade, but they are looking hungry after opening up a commanding lead on the ladder after only six rounds of competition. They were made to work for it however, winning by only three in their clash with Kalamunda. Cottesloe continued their strong form with a win over Bayswater, Wests continued their form with a win over the Lions, and Associates won a thriller over the Palms down at Allen Park.
As Cottesloe enjoy the bye this weekend, UWA will take on the ever improving Southern Lions, Kalamunda will host Associates, and Nedlands will come off the bye to take on Palmyra.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wanneroo v Perth Bayswater
Wanneroo overcame a challenging start to the season with a brave win over Joondalup last week, and in the context of this season this game could serve as a great starting point to push into some good form. Perth Bayswater had a great season in 2022, and while their form hasn’t been as consistent yet in 2023 the competitiveness they’ve shown of all their clashes suggests they’re going to turn a corner soon and convert opportunities into wins.
Other Fixtures
Cottesloe - BYE
UWA v Southern Lions (YouTube Live Stream)
Wests Scarborough v Joondalup
Kalamunda v Associates (Live on Stan Sport)
Nedlands v Palmyra
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Rising Player
Despite their loss to the Gulls last week, Perth Bayswater’s forward pack had a quality game, with David Tifa putting in a fantastic shift in the front row. While success hasn’t come for the squad yet, expect Tifa to prove to be more than a handful for oppositions at scrum time.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND FOUR
After several weeks of big results, Round Three saw the competition even out in the Capital, bar Uni-Norths strong win over the Emus. The Whites continued their strong form over the Eagles in a close game across the border, while Wests Lions shocked the Royals with a thrilling win at home.
This weekend, the Lions travel up to Nepean Rugby Park to take on the Emus, while Queanbeyan travel to Phillip Oval to face the Royals.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Tuggeranong Vikings v Gungahlin Eagles
Tuggeranong sit at the top of the ladder after a strong opening fortnight, and will be looking to continue their form this weekend. The Eagles however have shown that they have potential to cause some serious surprises, pushing last year’s premiers Queanbeyan all the way last week away from home.
Other Fixtures
Uni-Norths Owls - BYE
Penrith Emus v Wests Lions
Canberra Royals v Queanbeyan Whites
Rising Player
Josh Townsend put in a strong shift for the Whites against the Eagles last week, making his presence felt in the engine room and proving a dominator at set piece! The Royals will be wary for the threat he brings this weekend.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TWO
It was a strong opening weekend for the Dewar Shield, with all teams coming out swinging. Uni grab a one point win over Footscray, while Endeavour Hills and Harlequins overcame Box Hill and Moorabbin, respectively. The match of the round lived up to the hype, with the Unicorns overcoming a strong Power House side, 32-39.
This weekend the Endeavour Hills welcome the Rams, Footscray look to continue their promising form when they travel to face Power House, and Box Hill return home to face the Quins.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Melbourne v Melbourne University (Live on MSL)
The Unicorns take match of the round again this week following their strong win, and they find themselves up against a Uni side that had a strong season of growth in 2022, and have also hit the ground running this year. The home side will likely be favourites for this match, but the Students showed last year they have it in them to pull a big upset.
Other Fixtures (Live on MSL)
Endeavour Hills v Moorabbin
Power House v Footscray
Box Hill v Harlequins
Rising Player
Shoutout to Jono Lightfoot who had a fantastic game in the second row for Harlequins in their win over the Rams, proving to be a strong performer at set piece. Keep an eye on this growing young player!
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
The Onkas got back to winning ways in round three with a dominant performance over Woodville, while Burnside overcame a determined Adelaide Uni and Southern Suburbs and Brighton locked up the top of the ladder with big wins over Port Adelaide and Elizabeth, respectively.
This weekend Port will look to redeem themselves against Old Collegians, Woodville host Brighton, and Adelaide Uni fancy their chances against Onkas.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Elizabeth v Southern Suburbs
It’s been a mixed bag for Elizabeth so far this season, but given their growth last year you’ll expect them to start pulling off some strong wins, and they’ll fancy their chances against a high flying Southern Suburbs.
Other Fixtures
Burnside - BYE
Port Adelaide v Old Collegians
Woodville v Brighton (live on Rugby Union South Australia - Facebook)
Adelaide Uni v Onkaparinga
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWO
Tasmanian rugby got back to flying this form last week, with the Penguins getting revenge over Launceston, the Lions prevailing in the Battle of the Bay, Devonport overcame a strong Stags side, and the Emus trouncing the Harlequins.
This week Launceston welcome Devonport in a local derby rematch, Uni take on Harlequins, Burnie Emus face the Lions and the Stags host a strong Penguins outfit.
Fixtures
Burnie Emus v Hobart Hutchins Lions
Launceston v Devonport
Tasmania University v Harlequins
Glenorchy v Taroona Penguins
Enjoy your club rugby this long weekend, wherever you are!
