The Central Coast Rugby Union season continues this coming Saturday with some exciting WLG Premier 1 matches in Round 11.
The ‘Match of the Day’ will see the seaside derby between the two teams at the top of the competition ladder. Terrigal and Avoca Beach meet at The Haven Oval in a match which is always a huge game of rugby. A large crowd is expected at this clash. This game sees these two teams meet in a match where victory will give them bragging rights leading into the Finals in a month’s time. There is not too much between these two teams. Terrigal remain undefeated, while Avoca Beach has only had the one loss earlier in the season when they were surprisingly defeated by Lake Macquarie. The first round clash between the two teams was a washout where both teams agreed to declare that game a draw. So this is the first meeting between these two teams this year so the clash holds huge interest. Terrigal have the home ground advantage and that may be the only difference between the two teams. Terrigal have looked very comfortable all season while Avoca Beach have had their up and downs. They have had a loss and just defeated Gosford last week with a penalty goal on the bell. However, this match brings the best out in both teams and they will both lift to a higher standard on the day. Avoca Beach will be desperate for a win so they can bridge the gap between them and Terrigal on the ladder, but also to stay ahead of the third placed Razorbacks. It all makes for a great day of rugby at The Haven. The Challenge Shield is also up for grabs in this match.
Lake Macquarie will travel to Woongarrah Oval to meet Warnervale in a match that could be tight throughout and which holds huge interest. Warnervale have the vital home ground advantage which will hold them in good stead. They will be most keen to get back into the winner’s circle in this match as they have lost their last two matches to Terrigal and the Razorbacks. In many ways this is probably the most important match of the round. Lake Macquarie is only the one bonus point win behind Warnervale at the moment. They are sitting in fifth spot and they know if they can defeat Warnervale they could displace them in the race to the Final Four this year. A loss would almost finish their chances of achieving that. So there is huge pressure on both teams. Lake Macquarie has also not had a win for several weeks so both teams will be desperate for victory on Saturday.
Woy Woy will host the Razorbacks at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday. The Razorbacks will go in to this clash as clear favourites. They had a most pleasing win last Saturday when they accounted for Warnervale. That victory showed they are coming into the right form at the business end of the season. Woy Woy are coming off the bye so they will be freshened up after the week off. However, this will be a tough match for the home side. Woy Woy are yet to get that first victory of the season and know time is running out to achieve that. Woy Woy is at home which is a plus for them but they are up against a team in third position on the competition adder and who are most keen to get into that second spot.
Gosford have the bye in Premier 1 rugby.
Saturday also sees the continuance of the Central Coast Women’s 12’s competition. There are three matches in Round 11 this coming Saturday – Terrigal will host Avoca Beach in the ‘Match of the Day’, the Razorbacks and Woy Woy meet at Woy Woy Oval, and Warnervale will host Lake Macquarie at home.
In President’s Cup, The Bay meets The Lakes on Friday night at home, and on Saturday, Avoca Beach plays Terrigal, Lake Macquarie travels to play Warnervale, and the Razorbacks meet Kariong.