As the race for the Group 16 minor premiership heats up, the Roosters will take on its three major rivals in the coming weeks. 

Sunday is the Moruya Sharks, then the full-strength Eden Tigers and the following week the Narooma Devils. 

This weekend will be a fiery clash with the second place Moruya Sharks in the first grade clash. 

Roosters president Garry Arkin said the Sharks were at full-strength.

“Stingrays representative centre Jake Clarke is back on deck and the Roosters’ nemesis of past seasons Aaron Brierley is also lining up,” Arkin said.

“The Sharks pack is also bolstered by the return of Billy Halligan in the front row.”

Despite the leadership of the Group’s coach of the year Neil Williams, Arkin said the Roosters are up to the task. 

“Bega could not be travelling better and have swept all before them under the guidance of Ryan Apps.

“Apps will lead his side by example and will look to his go-to men in Blake Robinson, Scott Fuller and Adam Blacka to ignite the tri-colours,” he said. 

Other key players in the Roosters line-up include young gun James Bower-Scott in his first year of the top grade, while winger Lee Fuller has all the benchmarks of making an impression on Sunday. 

Arkin said the quick-moving backs’ ability to score will depend heavily on the movement from the forward pack. 

“The Roosters’ six will be put to the test by the Sharks’ six.”

“Jarrod Tamatea and Mitch Carter will shoulder the responsibilities of the front row and have been in good form.

“This game has  real finals feel about it,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the reserve grade is staring down a must-win scenario to stay in finals contention. 

Captain-coach Steven Luff is looking for improvement from his side and will look to the likes of Craig Dixon,  Luke Hoskins and Dennis Scott to inspire the side.

“It’s head down and no mistakes,” Roosters manager Shannon Gilmore said.

“We need to win.”

The under 18s are a different matter altogether, with Bega on top of the ladder, while the Sharks are still fishing for their first win. 

Coach James Scott is looking for a more focused effort from his side for the full length of the game.

Scott believes his side is losing concentration on their football during the course of the battle.

He is eager to see the experienced Trent McCarthy, Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers and Jordan Spurling to lead the way to keep their unbeaten record on track. 

The women’s league-tag contest sees the Bega Chicks taking on the ever-improving Sharkettes. 

Arkin said the game is not one the Chicks will take lightly and will be at their best on Sunday.

“The Sharkettes hold third position on the ladder and were in the hunt for a major upset against the Cooma Fillies in their last outing,” Chicks coach Andrew Badullovich said. 

“It will not be a time for complacency from our side.”

The club’s younger players are picking up skills quickly from the squad’s veteran members. 

Matches start this Sunday at the Bega Rec Ground from 10.30am for the under 18s. 

The first grade main event kicks off at 2.30pm.