Securing top spot on the Central North Rugby Union (CNRU) ladder will be a huge incentive for the Gunnedah Red Devils this Saturday, as they contest the Quirindi Lions at Quirindi Rugby Club.
The Red Devils sit atop the six-team ladder on 52 points, followed by Quirindi and Moree on 44 and Narrabri on 41 with only two rounds left before the play-offs.
Sealing first place will set up a home major semi-final for the Red Devils, while the stakes are also high for the Lions as they seek to finish in the top two.
This Saturday will also be a big occasion for the home side which stages its ladies day, with a large crew from Gunnedah expected to come along for the festivities.
Both teams are coming off a bye, with Gunnedah beating the fifth-placed Inverell 47-22 the previous weekend while Quirindi lost 27-19 to Moree.
When the Red Devils and Lions faced off on Gunnedah soil back on June 14, the home side recorded a tense 34-33 victory to secure the JK Carter Memorial Cup and Kookaburra Cup, with both trophies up for grabs this Saturday as well.
In reserve grade, the Red Devils are still vying for their first win of the year while the Lions seek to consolidate second spot on the ladder.
It remains to be seen if the clubs field teams for a third grade contest, while it also remains unclear at the moment if a women’s fixture goes ahead due to Quirindi not fielding a regular team in this division.
Gunnedah’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread in the women’s competition, with the Red Devils in equal-fourth place while effectively being fifth due to an inferior for-and-against record.
