It’s do or die in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield. The four teams that are left in each competition will soon be reduced to only two, as the winners of this week’s games will earn a spot in the grand final.
This is the time of year where all the hard work finally pays off and the teams find another gear. The players throw their bodies into the and risk everything for glory.
The excitement from this week’s matches might be condensed into only a handful of games, but will surely soar above and beyond your expectations.
Ron Massey Cup:
The advantage of finishing in the top four really does have its benefits and it’s no surprise that those four teams are the only still standing. Mounties are scheduled to clash with Wentworthville and Asquith are set on a collision course with Windsor.
Windsor are well rested after a week’s rest but will need to work hard to stop the high-flying Asquith side.
Windsor’s Coach, Brad Prior, explains the benefits of finishing in the top four.
“It’s been massive for us. It was a bonus having the week off and allowing the boys to rest up. We had a couple of injuries so it was good,” Prior said.
Windsor will be looking to replicate the result of their last match with Asquith, winning convincingly, 36-10.
“They’re a totally different side now. We’ve just prepared as we normally would. We’re not going into this game with any expectations but will stick to our game plan and just keep doing what we’ve done all season,” Prior said.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead. I’d be happy just to make the grand final. If we can get there, its anyone’s game. Coming up against Wenty or Mounties doesn’t bother me.”
Sydney Shield.
Both games this week are sure to get physical with the teams unlikely to leave anything on the field. Both games are going to be absolute gems, with Wentworthville taking on Windsor and Peninsula clashing with Hills District.
Hills have been the dark horse of the finals series and are the only team outside of the top four to make it this far. Peninsula has a tough task stopping their momentum this week.
Peninsula coach, Tim Gee, was grateful for a week off, saying; “A couple of our blokes were running around busted and were carrying a lot of niggling injuries.”
Even though their season has been successful, it hasn’t always been high flying for the Seagulls. Having a revamped squad compared to previous years, Gee wasn’t sure what to expect at the start of the season.
“We’ve got a different group to last year so there’s a different dynamic. We had a couple of new players coming and going throughout the season, which caused a couple of disruptions. It was hard to get that stronger bond,” Gee said.
In a must win game, Gee will be looking to his leaders for inspiration.
“James Leuluai, one of our props has been fantastic. Tim Pont, our second rower, brings a lot of energy to our forward pack and his work load is tireless. Also young Jake Pickering is electric at the back and can break a game wide open at the drop of a hat.”
The NSWRL Grand Final day, held at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday, September 27, is the biggest day on the VB NSW Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield calendars and the only live rugby league in Sydney that weekend – and adult tickets are just $10, with kids under 12 free! With face painting, live music and a carnival-like atmosphere, it’s the perfect day out for young and old. Get your tickets here.