Intersting Fixtures in Hudson Cup for Week Two.

Devonport marksman Kiran Mulrany will be looking to add to his
2013 talley this week against Launceston United.

Two Northern Premier League Sides will go up against Victory League opposition in week two of the Steve Hudson Cup.

The first to be tested will be Launceston United.  After a tough day out against Tilford Zebras last week, the metal will be tested again as the blues come up against Devonport Strikers.

Last week was a big loss for Launceston, but they were facing a much stronger team, something that will be consistent when they meet the Strikers.

Chris McKenna said  “We’ll be selecting our teams for the North West Summer Cup & Hudson Cup tomorrow night after training so nothing’s really locked in as yet.

Michael Holden will come into the Hudson Cup squad this weekend after being unavailable last weekend. Joel Stone rolled his ankle in the game against Prospect Knights so he may be rested even though his recovery is coming along better than expected. We’ll also possibly play a few of our Victory League squad in the North West Cup on Saturday to allow them to get some extra game time into their legs.

I didn’t get to see much of Launceston United’s game last weekend but what they do isn’t really of concern to us as we’re only really worried about sticking our own process at the moment. We had some encouraging individual performances last week & we’ll be looking for a few more players to stand up & be counted this weekend”

The tournament host will take on Devonport Striker at 1pm on Ground one.

On ground two, Prospect Knights will play Tilford Zebras, Prospect were notably a young side compared to that which finished the premier league last year in fourth place, while Tilford Zebras were anything but full strength last week against Launceston, and this could send an ominous warning to the Knights for this game with Zebras expected to be stronger again.

Riverside and Northern Rangers kick things off on Sunday morning at 11am with a match that should be a good solid test for the two sides.

Both Hingston and McCarragher will be out this week for
Northern Rangers with injuries.

Rangers have a host of injuries at a Victory League level, and as such will take a predominately under 20 side to Hobart the day before.  This will create a few opportunities for the clubs fringe players.

“Our hand is forced some what on Saturday, so we will use that game as a good chance to look at the clubs young players in challenging positions, hence our Premier League side will also see a host of new faces too, it’s a little early to know exactly how we will line up, as some players will need to be assessed on Saturday for the Southern Summer cup, and that will also create some movement in our Hudson Cup line up”

“Our new Coach Col Nicholson is still settling in and getting to know our players, so it will be a great chance for him to get across all the players in our club this year.” Said ....well me actually!

Riverside Coach Wayne Penfold was happy with his sides performance last week with limited preparation against a Victory League club who has been training since October last year.

“Pleased with the performance of the boys on the weekend. With only 6 weeks of pre-season under their belts the players ran out the game well. We had some good spells of possession, but need to move the ball quicker. But that will come with more match fitness.

With only 3 senior team regulars from last year in the side, we were happy with our performance against a Victory league side, and felt we were deserving of a point at least, but it wasn't to be.

We welcome back a couple of experienced players this week against Rangers. 

Will be looking to be a lot more dangerous in attack, retain possession with better ball movement and try to eliminate our errors.” Said Penfold.

The final match will be a huge test for Launceston City who come up against South Hobart, and Ken Morton is coming north each week to win the Hudson Cup, not just prepare for the season ahead.

There has been much discussion about the lack of quality in the City line up, but Dane Hudson is typically positive about his clubs chances, and is looking forward to pitting his young side against the long term trend setter in Tasmanian Football.

“South Hobart are the traditional yard stick in Tasmanian Football, and even though the Victory League has in most cases grouped the better players together, I still think the status quo remains. They attack very well from their 2nd line of defence, so we will have to work hard on our strategies to overcome that across the game. “

“We will concentrate on our preseason teamwork and individual goals and endeavour to meet them head on. South Hobart, under Ken Morton are a fantastic outfit and we are looking forward to playing them and seeing where we fit on the Victory League stage. We are working hard on being a positive addition to the Victory League and I cannot fault the guys effort and dedication.” Said Launceston City Coach Dane Hudson.

On Saturday, Northern Rangers travel south in the Southern Summer cup to play Clarence at Warrior Park.

Northern Rangers added Ryan McCarragher to the injury list during their game with South with ligament damage to his ankle, Mark Cristy under went surgery on his knee during last week and is well away from a return while Todd Hingston (ankle) Gabriel Tams (groin) and Adam McIntyre (foot) all picked up short term injuries that are not worth risking at this stage in the year and Derek Schipper will be given until the last minute to decide whether or not to play.

Ayden Demeijer, Marshall Pooley and possibly Nick Lanau-Atkinson are also un able to play this week which will test the Rangers depth.

Rangers Coach Peter Savill was still looking forward to the clash, “We have to shuffle things around this week, but it gives us a good opportunity to look at our clubs young players, and we will leave the older players to play in the Hudson Cup, and take the younger players to Hobart and have a good look at them all together, it’s not ideal but you can’t risk long term injuries this time of year, had it have been a league fixture, some of these boys would have been told to play” Savill said.

Rangers will also get the chance to have a look at Ash Fisher who has arrived recently to training hoping to break into the Victory League side, while Harry Thannhauser,  a player likely to feature in the future will also get the chance to play in Hobart.

Rangers play Clarence at 3pm.

Southern Summer Cup

Week 2 – Saturday, February 23^rd.

3:00pm            Group B          Northern Rangers                    v          Clarence United

Hudson Cup

Week 2 - Sunday, February 24th,

GROUND 1

11.00am          Group B          Riverside Olympic (NPL)     v          Northern Rangers (NPL)

1.00pm            Group A          Devonport City (VL)            v          Launceston United (NPL)

3.00pm            Group B          South Hobart (VL)                v          Launceston City (VL)

GROUND 2

2.00pm            Group A          Prospect Knights (NPL)       v          Tilford Zebras (VL)