Round 21 of the Well Hung Glass and Aluminium First Grade competition sees the regular season come to a nail-biting end with several teams trying to join Teachers West in the final’s series. Mike Carney Toyota Park will see the return of Friday Night First Grade rugby when JCU take on Brothers with both teams looking to finish their season off with a victory. The Army and North Ward will battle it out for second spot in a mouth-watering clash on Saturday, whilst the game of the round will take place this Friday night and will see Burdekin travel out West to take on Charters Towers, with the winner securing fourth place and a finals berth. Keep reading to preview each game this week!
Brothers V JCU
The first game of Round 21 will see the return of Friday night senior grade footy to Mike Carney Toyota Park. It has been a difficult and disappointing season for both Brothers and JCU. Brothers have had a rollercoaster season with some fantastic wins against higher opposition but then have struggled to gain momentum and keep a winning streak going. JCU on the other hand have continued to improve but could quite possibly go the whole season without a single victory. Their efforts last week were respectable against a depleted Teachers West outfit, but they will want to end their season on a high and pull off a famous victory against the Fish. It’s always a great battle when these clubs meet, kick off 8:40pm @Mike Carney Toyota Park.
LARC’s V North Ward
In the final fixture at Mike Carney Toyota Park on Saturday, North Ward will be taking on the LARC’s in a battle for second place on the TDRU First Grade ladder. Both teams are coming off big wins with North Ward toppling Burdekin in Ayr and the LARC’s overcoming Charters Towers in Townsville. Previous fixtures between the two teams have been hard fought and victories have not come easy, it is extremely difficult to see who will come out on top. LARC’s will be very pleased of their first season in the TDRU competition, they have played some very attractive rugby whilst having a strong defensive structure. Whilst North Ward will be looking for their first Grand Final appearance since 2005. The Old Boys have truly stepped up another gear in 2019 and have been one of the form teams this year. Their big pack provides great go forward for their very mobile and fast backline. Both teams will want the opportunity to go straight through to the Grand Final in the first week of finals footy. Kick off 5pm @Mike Carney Toyota Park.
Charters Towers V Burdekin
This fixture has turned out to be the game of round, if not the season. Both teams have the opportunity to secure the fourth place position and the chance to continue their season. Burdekin will want to forget last weeks game at home against North Ward. Although it was their Ladies Day and in front of a big crowd, the Toads could not stop a rampaging North Ward who ended up winning very comfortably. Charters Towers suffered very similar circumstances against the LARC’s at Mike Carney Toyota Park. The Lavarack boys were discipline in their defence and force costly errors that would later turn into points. The Bulls will have the luxury of playing a home and in front of a very vocal crowd, Burdekin will have to leave nothing in the tank and give everything they’ve got to get the win out west. Kick off for this Friday Night country blockbuster is 7:50pm @Charters Towers Rugby Union Grounds.
