RUGBY LEAGUE
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The East Maitland Griffins will have more than one reason to finish their season with a win at King Edward Park on Sunday.
Not only will the A-grade squad be seeking revenge on Belmont Souths after going down to them at home earlier in the year, but victory would provide valuable momentum before taking on the same opponents in next weekend’s qualifying semi-final.
And this cause will be aided by the extra support of former Griffins on the sidelines with the club holding its annual “old boys’ day”.
“Momentum is really important at this time of year,” A-grade player Brad Nichols said.
“And they beat us here [at King Edward Park] last time and that was the only time we have been beaten at home all year so we want to give them a good run.”
Barring any other unlikely results, the winner of Sunday’s Newcastle Hunter Rugby League clash will finish second and the loser third.
This would pit them against one another for the second time in as many weeks when the play-offs roll around at Lakeside Sporting Complex the following weekend.
The Griffins and Belmont Souths have also played out a draw in 2013.
Kick-off is 3pm.
In other rugby league news, the Greta Branxton Colts host the Denman Devils in the Group 21 major semi-final on Sunday.
The match will be played at Greta Central Oval with the winner progressing to the 2013 decider.
Kick-off is 2pm.
And finally to women’s rugby league and the Maitland Pickers have their major semi-final against front runners Canley Vale at Brookvale Oval at 11am on Saturday.
n See the What’s On panel on page 23 for a full list of all Newcastle Hunter Rugby League games being played this weekend.