Match Preview

For the third and final time in pool play of the 2019 Saxo Capital Markets Premiership, Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay will lock horns with USRC Tigers at Aberdeen Sports Ground tomorrow at 3pm.

At So Kon Po in October the Tigers pipped the Bay 22-17 in a match where Wilkinson’s men could not capitalise on a dominating final ten minutes. On a sunny day in December though, Sandy Bay put on a show at King’s Park and trounced the 2018/19 League winners by 48-28 and announced their potential to all-comers.

Tomorrows round 13 match is critical to both sides. Tigers sit 9 points ahead of the Bay on the ladder but look like a team in decline in recent weeks with five straight losses since December and battling to stay in top four contention.

Meanwhile, Sandy Bay scored only their 3rd win of the season last weekend against league leaders, HK Scottish, ambushing Craig Hammonds men at the ASG with a sensational comeback victory, 25-24, after trailing 24-6 at the 50-minute mark. With a game in hand, the Bay have Tigers firmly in their sights and with a chance at closing the gap by a few points as their season hangs by a thread.

They woke the angry giant last week and this head coach Brett Wilkinson has veteran Dylan Rogers back into loosehead prop, sure-and-steady Zac Cinnamond at tighthead while injuries to Alex Post and Callum Tam sees Jak Lam keep the hooker spot, following a strong performance last weekend.

Jack Delaforce returns to the squad and pairs up with Mark Prior, also being rewqarded for a good shift against HK Scottish. Matt Lamming, Luke van der Smit and Lawrence Babe round out the pack with a steady looking back three.

In the backs, just one change from last weekend with Guy Spanton replacing Alex McQueen in the midfield.

This should be an intense match with much at stake.

Come along and support Sandy Bay at the Aberdeen Sports Ground and do your part. The Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay Vikings will also take on the USRC Tigers at 4.30pm in Premiership A match. Brown fizzy beverages available thanks to our very generous beverage sponsor.