The Christchurch Bulldogs will look to make it four straight wins to start the season when they take on the Eastern Blues at Northwood Park this Saturday in CAFL’s fourth round fixture.
After easily accounting for an under-strength Blues side in the opening match of the season by 199 points, the Bulldogs have also notched up victories against the University Cougars and Mid-Canterbury Eagles to announce themselves as once again the team to beat.
While the Bulldogs have recruited well over the off season, last year’s losing grand finalists from the East have struggled to impose themselves as a threat, so far losing all three games and languishing at the bottom of the table. Despite their representative players returning from International Cup duties after their embarrassing first round defeat, the Blues suffered heavy losses to the Eagles and Cougars and need a win to get their season on track.
They face a red hot Bulldogs side fresh from a convincing, if not inaccurate win over a resurgent Eagles side teeming with fresh blood. With a healthy percentage after three comfortable victories, the Bulldogs are full of confidence and looking on track to make it a three-peat of premierships in the CAFL senior division.
The match of the round will be the second place University Cougars taking on a fired up Mid-Canterbury side out for a bit of revenge after their second round loss to the Students. Minus representative players last time they met, this clash will give a strong indication as to which side is best placed to challenge the pace setting Bulldogs.
The Eagles will have their work cut out for them against a Cougars side keen to hold onto second spot, a position that will clinch a spot in the grand final come season’s end. With the competition really starting to fire up, early results are crucial as the battle for a berth in the decider shapes up as the most intense for years.
By Wayne Sullivan
Last Modified on 14/09/2011 19:43