S4, R9: Sharks RUFC vs. Gamblers RUFC (vBookie)

Analysis

With neither team sporting an experienced back line for today's game, much will be expected of the teams' respective packs.

In this instance, we should see a tight contest.

The Gamblers' front row is brimming over with talent - Wes Welker probably being arguably the form front-rower of the season. After his disappointment at not making the S3 Test tour, he's stepped up a notch this season. He will face down against the man who took his Test spot - Shane Masters and will want to dominate the front row utility.

In the rest of the pack, the Sharks have the dominant 2nd row with experienced campaigners James McDougal and Sam Verigotta being expected to outclass Morgan Burridge and Jack Dempsey at the line-out. However, Burridge has been an admirable performer for the Gamblers this year and he'll be looking to get one over on the Sharks' 2nd row.

In the boot of the scrum, the Gamblers will be oozing with class. Simon Humble was in line for a Tour spot in S3 until a dispute with the SRC saw him sidelined. His pairing with Siege Morgan hasn't always fired this season, but they - along with Brett Gemmell - should dominate the Sharks' back row where Lee Sweetman in particular looks to be a weak link. Simon Laing will have a lot of work to do.

In the halves, Ben Hornby has been in decent form after missing out on first grade action last season, but Sam Bakkum has been a much improved performer this year.

We're not sure what their respective game plans will be, but given the weaknesses in both teams back lines, we're expecting the ball to be kept in tight for a crash and bash from the forwards. As such, distribution from the halves isn't expected to necessarily dominate this match.

In the backs, the real class campaigner is Regan Hutchinson who will enjoy pulling on the #15 jersey in the absence of the injured Jordan Logan. Sam Graham has been well below par this season, but we know what he's capable of and he could be a game breaker if he finds his mojo. My player to watch is Ben Taylor who has been a solid and quiet performer for the Gamblers.

My prediction: Closer than the Sharks would want, but I'm backing them to win this by 13 and under. That would be the value bet, in my opinion.

 

Big game. Get up Gamblers!

 

All scheduled and ready to go AT 7.30pm as advised.

The weather is set fair.

 

Again, great to see an analysis.

 

They're away http://www.cricsim.com/site/srlive.php

 

I thought you'd prefer the all-in brawl.


Scrum to the Gamblers. Great work by the Gamblers. That's been hooked cleanly and the Gamblers scrum looks as if it is working well today. A good, firm contest pushes them back a metre.

Ben Hornby fails to gather the ball at the back of the scrum though and Sam Bakkum darts through to steal.

Ben Hornby redeems himself as he dive-tackles Sam Bakkum into touch. That'll be a Line Out to the Gamblers.

Hold on. Bakkum didn't like that tackle at all. A bit of pushing and shoving here.

HELLO! Hornby comes out swinging and aims one at Sam Bakkum's jaw. Bakkum feints right and avoids the shot.

Wes Welker comes in and tackles Sam Bakkum to the ground.

Both sets of forwards pile in and we have ourselves an old-school bundle.

The referee blows his whistle repeatedly and tries to calm things down. Brett Hall leaps off the bench and tries to get stuck in but his held back.

Eventually, the brawl is separated and everyone looks to still be in one piece. Brett Gemmell pats Sam Bakkum patronisingly on the head whilst the referee chats with both captains to calm things down.

So, back to the line out.