British XV Round 13 Lodgement and Banter

[GoLions]

Well, we only have 3 rounds remaining in the H&A season, with 11 teams still in the hunt for finals! Couple of massive games this weekend that are make or break for some clubs.

Fixture:



Steins vs Rams: The Steins managed to pull of a 4 point win (4 points???!!!) against the Hawks last week, moving up to 7th spot, and giving themselves every chance of locking in a spot in the top 8 come the end of the H&A season. The Rams...had another poor loss against the Dragons, which proved to actually be a winnable game if they had any midfielders available. They will be welcoming the return of star midfielder Dayne Beams this week though, which has come at a shock to many, least of all coach Nige. The Steins get star forward Jesse Hogan back as well though, after Gawn returned a couple of weeks ago, and look to be steadying things towards the end of the year. At home, the Steins should be winning this one quite comfortably.

Dragons vs Hurricanes: Gee, what has happened to the Hurricanes these last few weeks? Consecutive losses to the Leeches and Werewolves, and now coming up against the Dragons on their home turf...could this be 3 losses in a row, for a team that was previously undefeated only 3 weeks ago? They will be getting captain Joel Selwood back this week however, but former star defender Jasper Pittard still remains on the fringe with his drop off in form, and their forward line has been a worry all year. Add to that the injuries of other starters (or potential starters) in Armitage, Wells, Jones, Cyril, Matera, and Salem, and the 'Canes are vulnerable. Very vulnerable. They had a great run at it last year, but this year is slowly turning into a nightmare. The Dragons are still right up there, even though they were a bit disappointing last week, they still got it done against the Rams, which, for them, is all that matters. A win this week could just about guarantee them that minor premiership...and at home, I think they'll do just that.

Knights vs Hawks: The Knights have now won 5 of their last 6 games, after destroying the Breakers last week. Apart from the fact that they remain on the same wins as the Steins in 7th, they have also managed to really bump up their percentage towards 100, which could end up being the difference in the end if they can keep getting wins on the board. The Hawks had an absolutely heartbreaking loss against the Steins last week, going down by just 4 points. This has put them a game and percentage out of the 8, and honestly, it already might be too much. This is their last chance though. A win against the Knights keeps them in touch, but a loss will knock them out, as it would mean that the Knights go 2 games ahead of them, as would one of the Bunnies/Hedgies, and you would also expect the Steins to do the same. For the Knights, a win could potentially put them into the 8 as early as this week, so this is a huuuge game for them. With Dangerfield at the helm, and it being a Knights home game, I'll back the boys from Wrexham to get it done.

Giants vs Werewolves: The Giants also suffered an incredibly close loss last week, and to the Leeches as well! They went down by just 9 points, and would have loved to do some damage to a few teams up the top end of the ladder late in the season. The Werewolves had a huge win against the Hurricanes, getting up by just over 600 points, giving themselves a guarantee of a second chance pretty much, and a shot at a top 2 spot still as well. Even though the Giants are at home, I find it difficult to see how they can topple this Werewolves outfit. But we've seen upsets bigger than this before!

Breakers vs Badgers: A battle between two bottom 4 teams here, just looking to save some small amount of respect before the season ends. The Badgers have had a huge fall from grace, along with a fair bit of bad luck to go with it. They currently have just the 2 wins, with their last win coming in Round 3 after starting off as good as they've ever been. But since then, it has been loss after loss, mostly due to their midfield unable to perform all at once in a single week. The Breakers have also fallen from last year, and have just the 3 wins themselves. Their fall has probably been more due to injuries than form though, whereas the Badgers have suffered from both. On a neutral venue, I'd back in the Badgers. But away from home...considering what's happened already this season...ugh. Breakers in a close one.

Magic vs Leeches: The Magic just managed to get over the line against the Bunnies last week, effectively guaranteeing themselves a spot in the 8 by doing so. They also remain just the 1 game outside of the top 4, and who knows, maybe they could make it? The Leeches, similarly to the Magic, also just managed to get over the line, but by just 9 points against the boys from Grope Lane. So, 5th hosting 2nd. The Leeches have a chance to possibly lock away a top 2 spot, pending other results. And, considering their form this year, it's hard to go against them. Been so consistent throughout most of the year, with a few massive scores here and there as well. But the Magic have been good as well, and are at home...I'll go with the Leeches, just.

Owls vs Hoods: The Owls have had a poor season this year, yet still sit in the 8, but with not a lot of margin for error. They managed to walk away with the 4 points against the Badgers last week, but not very convincingly. Star players Docherty and Gibbs seem to be doing most of the work, with the others just doing enough to get them over the line. If those 2 fail to perform...the Hoods could surprise them on their day. They have managed to post a couple of somewhat respectable scores the last few weeks, and the Owls can't afford to drop a game, because if they do...they risk falling to 9th. I'd really like to see the Hoods get up here, and I wish it was on their home turf. But it isn't, so I'll go with the Owls.

Bunnies vs Hedgies: Dragons vs Hurricanes; huge game. Knights vs Hawks; huge game. Magic vs Leeches; huge game. Bunnies vs Hedgies? Huuuuge game. It's 8th vs 9th in our last match of the round, and it's sure to be an absolute cracker. The only thing that separates these two teams right now is percentage, but when facing each other H2H, all that matters is who scores the most this week. A win, and finals will be theirs to lose. A loss, and it would just about be out of reach. The Bunnies host this one, which gives them the early advantage. But, the Hedgies outscored the Bunnies by almost 200 points last week, so it may not make a difference.  All season I've been waiting for the Bunnies of old to return, to dish out a score of around 1800, but it hasn't happened. And all season I've been waiting for the Hedgies to return to the power scoring of old, and after last week...well, maybe it finally is starting to happen? And could it be that Parker's rise in form has something to do with this? Could be. A firing Neale, Dusty, and Parker in the middle of the ground will make it hard for any opposing team, but Greene out is a big loss for the Hedgies...this is going to be a real tough one to pick. I'm leaning towards the Hedgies though.

[Rusty00]

(Potential) Milestones Games for Round 13

Taylor Adams (Grope Lane) 50 games
Jake Lloyd (Huddersfield) 50 games
Jobe Watson (Huddersfield) 50 games

[Vinny]

Oxford Owls:

D: S.Docherty, J.Johannisen, Z.Tuohy, S.Mayes.
M: S.Pendlebury, B.Gibbs, O.Wines, A.Swallow.
R: T.Jonas. (OOP)
F: J.Gunston, J.Riewoldt, R.Lester, J.Garlett.
U: S.Thompson, C.Guthrie.

E: S.Lloyd (F) Z.Guthrie (D)
C: S.Docherty
VC: S.Pendlebury

Getting ugly at the Owls. Need Robinson, Christensen, Kolodjashnij, Jong and Sandilands to uninjure themselves please.

[SydneyRox]

BLACKPOOL BUNNIES

DEF: Michael Hurley, Ben Reid, Jake Lever, Zak Jones
MID: Marc Murphy (VC), Matt Crouch (C), Ryn Bastinac, Ben Cunnington
RUC: Paddy Ryder
FWD: Richard Douglas, Charlie Dixon, Jake Carlisle, Isaac Heeney
UTI: Tom Langdon, Dane Rampe

EMG: Declan Mountford (M), Jonathon Partton(F), Jack Hombsch(D), Matt Kennedy (OOP) (R)

[GoLions]

Will do writeups tomorrow :)

[jhello]

Leeds Leeches

D: Alex Rance, Jeremy Howe, Michael Johnson, Dylan Roberton
M: David Mundy (VC), Sam Kerridge, Tom Scully, Clayton Oliver (C)
R: Sam Jacobs
F: Isaac Smith, Jack Billings, Jack Sinclair, Taylor Walker
U: Lewis Jetta, Sam Gilbert

E: David Mackay (M), Kade Stewart (F), Daniel McStay (D), Liam Duggan (R)(OOP)

[nas]

Staines Steins.

Def: Brayden Maynard - Adam Tomlinson - Luke McDonald - Nick Robertson.

Mid: Josh Kelly (VC) - Lachlan Hunter - Marcus Bontempelli (C) - Braden Fiorini.

Ruck: Brodie Grundy.

Fwd: Christian Petracca - Elliot Yeo (EVC) (F/M) - Lewis Taylor - Jesse Hogan.

Util: Max Gawn (R) - Sam Menegola.

Emerg: C Blakely (C) - A M-Tippa (D) - Jarman Impey (F).

**Subject to Team line ups.**

[Nige]

Liverpool Rams

Oscar McDonald, Michael Hartley, Scott Thompson, Taylor Hunt
Dayne Beams (c), Adam Treloar (vc), Dyson Heppell (evc), Zac Fisher
Todd Goldstein
Eddie Betts, Tim Membrey, Tom Hawkins, Sam Reid
Ben Brown, Alex Fasolo

Levi Casboult, Braydon Preuss, Hayden Crozier, Anthony Miles

[Rusty00]

Winchester Werewolves

D: Kade Simpson, Luke Hodge, Michael Hibberd, Nic Newman
M: Matt Priddis, Patrick Cripps (C), Nathan Fyfe, Robbie Gray
R: Toby Nankervis
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Jarryd Roughead, Toby McLean, Jack Steele
I: Dayne Zorko (VC), Lachie Whitfield (EVC)

E: James Sicily (F), Nathan Wilson (D), Alex Witherden (M), Easton Wood (R OOP), 

[iZander]

Def: Laird (EVC), May, Henderson, Pittard
Mid: JPK (C), Jelwood (VC), Goddard, Newnes
Ruck: Mummy
Fwd: Westhoff, Stringer, Petrie, Edwards
Util: Dumont, Pedobear

Emg: GHS, Trengove, Barrass, Joel Smith

[Rids]

Grope Lane Giants

Def: James Kelly, Josh Smith, Andrew McGrath, Nick Haynes
Mids: Taylor Adams (Capt), Jarryd Lyons (VC), Sam Powell-Pepper, Darcy Parish
Rucks: Billy Longer
Fwds: Jordan De Goey, Jordan Murdoch, Nathan Hrovat, Charlie Cameron
Utils: David Swallow, Jake Melksham

Emerg: T. Hickey (R), T. McKenzie (D), O. Florent (M/F), D. Rioli (F)

[iZander]

Grope Lane Giants

Def: James Kelly, Josh Smith, Andrew McGrath, Nick Haynes
Mids: Taylor Adams (Capt), Jarryd Lyons (VC), Sam Powell-Pepper, Darcy Parish
Rucks: Billy Longer
Fwds: Jordan De Goey, Jordan Murdoch, Nathan Hrovat, Charlie Cameron
Utils: David Swallow, Jake Melksham

Emerg: T. Hickey (R), T. McKenzie (D), O. Florent (M/F), D. Rioli (F)

Curnow?

[kilbluff1985]

Birmingham Dragons

D: Matt Suckling, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Martin Gleeson ,  Kaiden Brand
M: Tom Rockliff (C), Tom Mitchell, Zach Merrett (VC), Mitchell Duncan
R: Sean Darcy
F: Josh Caddy, Josh Jenkins, Steven Motlop, Will Hoskin-Elliott
I/C: Jack Crisp, Brad Ebert

Emerg: Tom Bellchambers (R), Will Langford (M), Luke Breust (F), Conor McKenna (D)

[Koop]

D: Leigh Montagna // Jarrad McVeigh // Daniel Rich // Aaron Mullett
M: Dustin Martin (VC) // Luke Parker (C) // Lachie Neale (EVC) // Kieren Jack
R: Rhys Stanley
F: Matthew Wright // Tim Broomhead // Josh Thomas // Josh Bruce
U: Levi Greenwood // David Zaharakis

E: Shane Savage (D) // Alex Sexton (M) // Alex Neal-Bullen (F/M) // David Cuningham (M)

[Ringo]

Breakers to roll over those pesky badgers

D: Andrews, Shaw, Henderson, Burgoyne (C)
M: Lewis, Picken, Stevens, Lonergan
R; Martin (VC)
F: Wright, Miller, Hewett, Wallis (EVC)
U: Talia, Hill

E: Brown, Acres, Smith, Hipwood