SATURDAY’S PREVIEWS
THE Grafton Redmen will be hoping to chalk up four wins against SCU Marlins on Saturday in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd.
With past premiership anniversary celebrations being held over the weekend and the Bullrouts strutting their stuff on field two when they host their annual Six-Pack Tournament, there will be no lack of support in one of the biggest days on the Redmen calendar.
FIRST GRADE will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Port Pirates last week.
After eight rounds Grafton sit in fourth place on the Mid North Coast Rugby ladder with four wins and four losses.
Marlins have struggled this season notching up just one victory, but if their previous clash is anything to go by Grafton should be on high alert. Marlins have the fire-power to worry Grafton who need to deliver their best football on a consistent basis.
The Redmen have been forced to make a host of changes this week. In devastating news, scrum-half Michael Wright suffered a major shoulder injury last week and from all reports his season may well be over. Winger Jayden Pullis suffered a head-knock and will miss the next two weeks, while second-rower Ramesio Bale will also be unavailable.
In some good news for the club, star winger Isaac Barker returns after a stint on the sidelines with second-grade centre Jope Kurimosi moving into the all-important scrum-half role.
THE last time they met, the GRAFTON WOMEN’S side came away with the two points against Marlins with a comfortable 37-5 victory.
On their present form Grafton should notch up their sixth win of the season but with only four points separating both teams on the ladder, Saturday’s showdown looms as a danger game for the Redmen.
Grafton boast a well-balanced squad with playing depth a feature of the 2023 season. Their on-field success and growing fan base has seen the side become genuine title contenders with five wins from eight games.
Strike weapon and prolific try-scorer Yuri McHugh has overcome an ankle injury and will be right to go while Natalie Blackadder and Jess McPherson are both out.
Tiarna Weatherstone makes a timely return for Saturday’s clash against Marlins. Her impact off the bench at hooker will certainly add to the team’s defence up front.
GRAFTON’S SECOND GRADE side have struggled this season, but they can draw some heart from their comprehensive defeat of Port Pirates last weekend. Their only other win was a 24-10 victory over Marlins in round 2.
It’s basically make-or-break for Gervase Bertus’s men if they want to feature in the final’s series come August.
Results will still need to go their way, but they have a chance to resurrect their season this Saturday against Marlins who sit in last place on table.
THE UNDER-14s will be hoping to produce an encore performance after their dominant win against Pirates last week.
Marlins are currently in third place on the ladder thanks to two extra bonus points with Grafton in fourth position. Both sides have recorded five wins so Saturday’s fixture should go right down to the wire.
Last time the two sides met Marlins came away with a hard-fought 24-15 victory.
Nico
