Hi all

After last week’s tight results it seems no one was willing to accept that each division was closely matched. Yes there was a draw and four 13-11 matches, but it seems every other game was a shellacking (with apologies to the losers).

The Pirates topped the billing with a mammoth 21-3 victory (yargh), but the Jets and Pidos deserve mention for their 19-5 wins. Division 5 was the most lopsided with results of 18-6, 17-7, 16-8 and 16-8.

Despite the lopsided results, the divisions remain as tight as ever.

In division one, the Stickmen maintained their unbeaten status, while the Snipers and Warriors were able to leapfrog the Matildas into equal 4th.

Div 2 saw the Katz and the DV8s jump back into the top 4, while the Tosheas and Filthy Wanderers are right there with them despite dropping a spot or two.

3rd division saw no change, with the status quo maintained.

I must apologise to the Jets in 4th division, as I reported their first loss last week. I had the result the wrong way round and they still remain undefeated after a monstrous 19-5 win this week. Only movement this week is the Kickers creeping within 2 points of the top 4.

I’ve already said div 5 saw some big wins, but the big movers were the Earls of Erindale, who are now 2 points out of the top 4.

The countdown to the finals is now on, but already the Stickmen, Pumas, Jets, Tomtones and Gremlins have secured a finals berth (depending of course that they achieve their last two bonus points). Of the 37 teams, only one team is now out of the running for the finals. That’s right – 4 rounds and 31 teams still battling for a finals spot. They bitched and moaned about the salary cap in Rugby League and I’m sure more than a few teams disagree with their division this season, but I guess both have proven correct as far as an even competition is concerned.

As always I have to slip in a small administration detail, nominations for the 2009 selection trials are due at the April meeting, so please collect forms and fees from your players before then. Also, don’t forget the Canberra Day Money Comp being held this weekend at The Maram Erindale. $40 entry fee with the comp split into two divisions with equal prize money. And it’s not too late to join the ACTEBA NRL and AFL tipping comps! Just call Cath Jones on 0419 187 498 for info on either tipping comps or to secure your place in the Canberra Day Comp.

Well done to all winners this week and good luck to all teams next week. Continue reading

Hi all

My email has been cactus the last four days, so I hope you are receiving this in a timely manner.

Crap can some of the divisions get any closer? We have only 5 rounds left and in some cases 7th place can still finish 2nd!

Div 1 sees the Stickmen (still undefeated), Hammerheads and Embalmers clear of four teams chasing 4th spot, with just two points separating 4th from 7th.

2nd Div is all over the shop, with the Scorpions squeezing out yet another 13-11 win. Seriously – do not bet against these guys in a tight match! The rest of the teams are separated by only 4 points, which once again makes div 2 the tightest of the five. (Thank god my team won tonight!)

Division Three has a bit of gap from 4th to 5th, but byes will come into play with this later in the season.

In division 4, the Jets suffered their first loss (sorry guys) but they are still looking good for a finals berth. The rest of div 4 sees 4th and last divided by 3 points.

Div 5 is probably the only one where the bottom four teams need to play catch up in the last five rounds. The Gremlins still remain undefeated and 2nd to 4th look strong.

All that being said, no team is mathematically out of contention. Yes I love that word but a strong finish to the season will see a number of teams upset the apple cart in a big way.

Quick reminder – the NRL season starts this weekend so anyone who wants to get involved with the ACTEBA tipping comp can still call Cath Jones on 0419 487 498. And don’t forget the (belated) Canberra Day Comp on 21st March (damn that ACT Government and their late calendar changes…) – $40 entry fee but the comp is separated into 2 “divisions” with equal prize money. Once again, call Cath to get involved – all proceeds go to this year’s Nationals.

An updated player list is available from the Docs and Forms page.

Good luck to all teams for next week – and keep the excellent results reporting up!
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Hi all

Another late report from me, sorry I had the bye on Wednesday and wasn’t still up when all the results had come in.

A very tight round was played out this week, with 9 of the 17 matches resulting in 13-11 scorelines. Add a draw and three 14-10 matches and it was the tightest round of the season. The Gremlins and Deep Pockets didn’t seem to pay attention, though, both sealing 16-8 victories.

With the Pirates suffering their first defeat, we are now left with four undefeated teams, the Stickmen, Scorpions, Jets and Gremlins. The Scorpions have proven tough to take down in a tight match, with their seven matches providing three draws and four 13-11 wins. The other three, meanwhile are all shooting above 60%, as are the Hammerheads and Tomtones.

Competition for the finals is now starting to heat up, particularly in divisions one and two. Div One has 4 teams a point apart in the race for 4th spot, while only 7 points separates 1st from 7th in Div Two.

Well done to all winners this week, and good luck to all teams next round. The ladder now includes the bonus point for scoresheets and results for the February meeting. I will send out an updated ladder with the March bonus points over the weekend.
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