Down to 2 rounds to go in the BJRL U13 Junior A Competition and the race for semi-final spots continues. The current table sees Redlands on 34 pts, Redcliffe on 31, Logan and Arana on 23, Holy Spirit 16, Souths 15, Aspley 10 and Wynnum 0.
All Round 19 games were won by the top four teams, although Arana and Redcliffe only got over the top of their respective opposition (Souths and Holy Spirit) in the closing stages in their games. Logan Brothers were far too strong for an illness-hit Aspley in their game, and Wynnum forfeited their game to Redlands. The weekend results confirmed Arana's spot in the top 5, but almost ensured they will have to rely on Logan being beaten to be able to get to third position, as they now trail Logan by 73 points on for and against.
Now only 2 weeks to go, and some very interesting games remain; Here is what each of the finals contenders faces (Clashes between teams in semis contention highlighted in yellow):
Team Pts F-A Round 20 Round 21
Redlands 34pts +418 R'cliffe(N) Logan(A)
Redcliffe 31pts +399 Redlands(N) Souths(H)
Logan 23pts +183 Wynnum(A) Redlands(H)
Arana 23pts +110 Aspley(A) Wynnum(H)
Spirit 16pts -104 Souths(A) Aspley(H)
Souths 15pts -184 Spirit(H) R'cliffe(A)
(H)-Home (A)-Away (N)-Neutral
Two big games this weekend:
* the top of the table clash between Redlands and Redcliffe (this game to be played at Brandon Park, Souths home ground) - Redcliffe must win to be any chance of claiming the minor premiership; and
* the Souths versus Holy Spirit clash - a Spirit win would see them clinch 5th spot and a spot in the finals; a Souths victory would see them keep their slim hopes alive.
In the other games, Arana will not be able to afford to relax against Aspley at Kirby Road - in the first encounter between the 2 teams this year Aspley led 10-0 early before Arana finished strongly to win by 12; and Logan Brothers should be too strong for Wynnum.
So the battle continues for 1st, 3rd and 5th - Redlands and Redcliffe for 1st; Logan Bros and Arana for 3rd; and Holy Spirit and Souths for 5th. 1st brings the prestige of the minor premiership and the first week of the semis off; 3rd the "double" chance" in the semis; and 5th the chance to at least play in September!!
The next two weeks should see some great footy in the 13As - may the best teams win!!!
(ps. and don't forget to vote in the Arana poll with your guesses for 1st, 3rd and 5th!!!)
