Hunters brace for big three

VALLEY Hunters are focused on their next three games which will see them face the competition’s heavyweights Harlequins, University and Brothers in the premier division.
Coach Max Katal told The National that the three rounds would be his side’s biggest test in the season.
Katal said results against their highly fancied opponents would be crucial as far as their campaign for premiership was concern.
“So far we have won three games from six rounds and the win over Crusaders has given us the confidence going into next round.
“We have three big games coming against Harlequins, University and Brothers,” he said.
“They are tough sides to beat. They have good backs and big packs that will really test us.
“The way we are going it shows that we are making improvements each game and we are progressing well. But we need to be at our best to really match them.
“We know we have a very tough couple of weeks coming up and it would be very important to prepare well for those games.”
Katal said his men had the potential to be serious title contenders but they needed to show that against the big three.
He said the Hunters needed to maintain their concentration, adding that fitness was a key factor in being competitive.
“Our playing style is fine but I believe we just have to improve on fitness which is very important,” Katal said. “It was evident in our recent matches, we competed well for 60 per cent of the game time but then we become slow in the final quarter of the game which is not okay.
“We cannot allow that against the better sides.”