The race for Harrigan Cup finals positions intensifies this weekend as the season reaches its halfway mark.
Co-competition leaders Wests will be out to continue their impressive form when they travel to Ziems Park to face a resurgent Corrimal on Saturday afternoon.
The Devils have won four straight matches since their Round 3 defeat to the Cougars and enter the contest fresh from a hard-fought 19-16 victory over Dapto. However, the Cougars will be brimming with confidence after producing their best performance of the season to upset co-competition leaders Thirroul 32-12 last weekend.
Corrimal have won three of the last four encounters between the two sides, including an entertaining 24-14 victory when the sides met earlier this season. With both teams building momentum, another close encounter is expected.
Thirroul return home to Thomas Gibson Park to face Collegians, also on Saturday afternoon. The Butchers remain on top of the ladder despite last week’s loss to Corrimal, while Collegians are closing in on the top two with a game in hand.
The Round 3 meeting between the sides was an entertaining affair, with Thirroul finishing on top 32-16 scoring six tries to three. With both teams boasting strong forward packs and plenty of attacking strike, another blockbuster is expected as they battle for valuable competition points.
Gibbo Park will host a thrilling day of rugby league action as the club’s Southern Corridor U18 Premiership, Gold, and Harrigan Plate teams take the field, culminating in the highly anticipated Harrigan Cup match.
At Dapto Showground on Sunday, the Canaries host Sutherland-Loftus looking to bounce back after their narrow defeat to Wests. Dapto took the points when the teams met in Round 3, but the Pirates have shown significant improvement in recent weeks and pushed Collegians last Sunday after leading early. The Canaries were boosted by the return of last season’s Paul McGregor Medallist, Josh Daley, who made his comeback last week and is again named on the interchange bench.
Round 8 Harrigan Cup Fixtures
- Corrimal v Wests Devils, Saturday, 3:00pm, Ziems Park
- Thirroul Butchers v Collegians, Saturday, 3:00pm, Thomas Gibson Park
- Dapto Canaries v Sutherland-Loftus Pirates, Sunday, 2:00pm, Dapto Showground
The Lower Grades
Thirroul welcomes Collegians to Gibson Park after narrowly defending their unbeaten record with a 12-10 win over Corrimal. Collegians arrive on the back of a 30-24 triumph against Helensburgh, setting up a high-stakes Harrigan Plate showdown. The Cougars host Wests, refreshed after a bye last week due to Dapto’s forfeit. Meanwhile, the Canaries look to bounce back as they face the Tigers.
Jim Allen Oval hosts a Harrigan Shield double header, with Figtree playing Avondale Wombats before Norths and Lowries clash. At Ziems Park, the Cougars face Windang, while Berkeley and the Greyhounds square off in the round’s marquee matchup.
Photo credit: Denis Ivaneza