There are only a handful of games remaining in the Ron Massey Cup season and the contenders for a spot in the finals series are almost locked in. Mounties are clear leaders and will keep their lead this week with a bye.
Wenty are close behind in second and a win this week will cement their position in the top two. Third through to sixth are in a heated battle to earn a place in the top four. The reward for doing so means that they will not play an elimination match during the first week of the finals.
Guildford are mathematically still in contention to make the top four but will have to win all of their remaining games, including a last-round clash with ladder-leaders, Mounties. Cabramatta make up the final spot in the top eight with Wests and Concord-Burwood only one win out of the eight.
This week’s match of the round is between Guildford and Cabramatta at McCredie Park on Sunday at 3pm. Both teams are only just in the top eight and will be needing to win if they want to receive a finals berth.
The result of this week’s game could mean that Guildford move closer to the top four or possibly drop closer to the bottom of the eight.
Guildford coach Steve Ghosn believes the Cup is as close as ever.
“Every game’s a must win. You can’t afford to drop any games in this competition,” Ghosn says.
“I think that if we win this week, we’ll be a little more comfortable.”
Ghosn has been impressed by his hard-hitting second rowers this season.
“Kelly Benson and Shane Shackleton are consistent on the field and know how to get the job done. They don’t need any motivation and bring a lot of experience to the team.”
Last time they played, Guildford came away with the win and will be looking to do the same thing this time around.
“We’ve strung a couple of wins together, so we’re going into this game fairly confident. There’s no easy game in this competition so it’ll be a tough game,” Ghosn explains.
This week’s other matches sees Auburn face Concord-Burwood, Blacktown take on Kingsgrove, Windsor encounter Western Suburbs, Wenty clash with Asquith and Mounties have the bye.
