University Beavers vs Lower Hutt Roundballs (Preview)

Location: Brian Heath Park
Date: Saturday 21st June
Kick-Off: 2.30pm

Previous Results:
Played: 3 times
University Beavers: 2 wins
Drawn: 1
Lower Hutt Roundballs: 0 Wins

2007 Round 8: Beavers 2 – Roundballs 2
2007 Round 16: Beavers 3 – Roundballs 2
2008 Round 2: Beavers 5 – Roundballs 2

Match preview:
Round 11 of the Capital 10 premiership sees us heading out to Brain Heath park for the much anticipated mid table clash between the University Beavers and the Lower Hutt City Roundballs.

Both teams will be looking to continue in their winning ways; the Beavers comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Waterside Rovers proved to all the fans that they are a side with a real shot at taking home capital 10 gold. The Roundballs will also be on a high after coming away from Mirama with a much needed 1-0 victory over ‘cellar dwellers’ Olympic.

Despite both teams being within two competition points of each other on the overall points ladder the University side are heavy favourites at the bookies. A sight the Beavers have not seen in recent weeks and will of course be relishing in their favourites tag.

Odds aside, this match will be an extremely exiting one and is well worth tuning into Sky Sports 3 for those who are not in the Wainuiamata area.

The Beavers will be looking to again knock the ball round and use pace and width to put a number of goals in the back to the net to gain full confidence in their own abilities. The Roundballs will of course have a more direct approach to the game looking a gain early territory from the back whenever possible, always putting the opposition on the back foot. Where it will be won:Complacency: The Beavers cannot get ahead of themselves and must take their campaign one game at a time. At the back end of the season the Beavers cannot afford to be dropping valuable competition points to the Roundballs. On the other side of the fence the Roundballs can use this ‘easybeats’ tag to their advantage.

Attitude: The Beavers have a much better attitude towards the game and play a much more beautiful brand of football. If this attitude and style can be transferred down in the attacking thirty yards of the Roundballs goal mouth the Beavers could put a big score on.

Key Beaver men:
Mad dog: Inspirational saves in the previous game lifted the Beavers defence in what was one of their better performances and was a coat of paint away from man of the match. His aggression and leadership from the back will be paramount to a Beaver victory.
The Stirkers: Mann, Easton and Jagersma: Finishing opportunities has been an issue for the beavers this season. If the men upfront can put away these chances it will go a long way to insuring a second consecutive win.

TAB odds:
University Beavers: $1.70
Lower Hutt Roundballs: $4.20
Draw: $2.60

Prediction:
The Beavers will again be too fast and strong for a lack lustre Roundballs side who have never had the upper hand when the two sides have previously met.
Beavers 4 - Roundballs 2

Beavers: Ben Jagersma (c), Sam Barrett, Miles Benton, Andre Bishop, Sam Cameron, Tim Easton, Will Ekford, Tayne Falconer, David Geange, Alistair Hill, Luke Mann, Shaun Murphy, Mark Smith, Matthew Smith, Ricky Versteeg

Roundballs: TBC

Reporter: Murphy