Butchers Still Team To Beat Despite Being Bedevilled
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday June 24, 2008
WESTERN Suburbs may have ended Thirroul's unbeaten run so far this season, but the Butchers remain four points clear of reigning premiers Collegians at the top of the Illawarra Carlton League table.
The Red Devils downed Thirroul 36-30 in a thriller at Gibson Park last Sunday to remain in outright-third place - three points adrift of Collies and one ahead of Dapto.A Clint Wright field goal separated the Canaries and Wollongong/University at University Oval last Saturday.Berkeley's 36-6 win over Helensburgh at Rex Jackson Park last Sunday has moved them into equal-fifth place with Corrimal, who still have a deferred game in hand against Collies.Three round-nine matches which were postponed because of wet weather will be played this weekend, highlighted by the top-two clash between Thirroul and Collies at Gibson Park on Saturday.This game will feature many Illawarra representative players who will play against Townsville in the ARL Toyota Centenary Trophy final before State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday night.The match between Illawarra and Townsville will decide the best country representative team in Australia.The Butchers hope to have injured Illawarra representative players Ty McCarthy, Scott Borg and Mark Corrigan back for the Collies game.McCarthy, Borg and Corrigan were hurt in Illawarra's 42-24 win over Canberra in the NSW CRL Toyota Centenary Trophy final at Cootamundra last Saturday.McCarthy and Borg were unable to play against Wests, but Corrigan started the match before being forced to retire.Wests, who also will have several players in the Illawarra team, will take on Berkeley at Parrish Park on Saturday and Wollongong/Uni are at home to Helensburgh at University Oval on Sunday.Points: Thirroul 18; Collegians 14; Wests 11; Dapto 10; Corrimal 8, Berkeley 8; Wollongong/Uni 6; Helensburgh 3.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
