VB NSW Cup Match Previews - Week One Finals

VB NSW CUP MATCH PREVIEWS - WEEK ONE FINALS


Elimination Final One

Windsor Wolves Vs Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers
Belmore Sports Ground, Saturday, September 8
Kick-off: 1.00pm
Referee: Jon Stone
Broadcast: Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via the www.nswrl.com.au Broadcast page)
Broadcast: @NSWRL Twitter Game-Cast

Summary: A salivating match up looms to kick-off what promises to be a great 2012 Finals Series. A Windsor Wolves side that sat entrenched inside the top four for most of the year has now been forced into a do or die clash here with a Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers side that enters the playoffs with very good form.

A couple of two point losses during the last five weeks are the only blots on the Tigers copybook of late and their roster is arguably as strong as it has been at any point in 2012. The Wolves recent woes continued last weekend when they lead the Cutters 9-6 in the dying minutes only to concede two late tries to eventually go down 18-9.

They will welcome back some key personnel here however with Matt Mundine returning from suspension and the likes of Travis Robinson, Matt Robinson and Mitch Achurch all returning to the fold following stints in the NRL for the Panthers.

The Tigers also have the luxury of fielding a number of high profile players. Names such as Humble, Iosefa, Moors and Cashmere have all played considerable minutes in the NRL this year, but with the Wests Tigers unable to make the top eight, the Balmain Tigers are set to gain from their loss.

Talking Point: VB NSW Cup Finals Fun Fact #1 - These two sides squared off twice in 2012 with the away team being victorious on both occasions.

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