Windsor Wolves Vs Burwood North Ryde United
Windsor Sports Complex, Thursday, April 17
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Referee: Phil Sung
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au)
Summary: Windsor will be confident heading into this match following their highly impressive 46-28 victory over Cabramatta last weekend. The win was the Wolves first of the season and would have Coach Brad Prior breathing a sigh of relief after their slow start to the year. Experienced players Kieran Croft and Tom Eisenhuth were standouts for the Wolves, each scoring a double, and will once again lead the way for their side against United. Burwood will be hopeful they can break their duck against the resurgent Wolves, after registering their fifth loss in going down 32-22 to Auburn. United played their best game of the season thus far against the Warriors but were unable to make the most of their opportunities throughout the contest. Front-Rowers Sione Kite and Tarek El Masri hold the key to victory for their side and will need to be at their best to secure their maiden win in 2014.
Prediction: After getting the monkey off their back last weekend, we’re tipping Windsor to make life tough for United in Thursday night football. Wolves by 12.
The Entrance Tigers Vs Blacktown Workers
EDSACC Oval, Friday, April 18
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Summary: The Entrance will be looking to get themselves back into the winners circle after suffering their first loss of the season to Guildford last weekend. The Tigers didn’t look to be themselves against the Owls, making a number of uncharacteristic errors and failing to fire in attack. Despite the loss, Luke McInnes and Brad Chatfield maintained their good form for the Tigers and will be looking to get on top of the Workers pack early this weekend. Blacktown will be hurting after being convincingly beaten 48-16 by Western Suburbs. The Workers showed glimpses of the form that makes them a finals contender; however it was nowhere near enough and will need to be sustained for longer periods against the Tigers. Nafoa Leopai is dangerous out of dummy half and will need to be watched closely by the Tigers defence.
Prediction: The Tigers great start to the year was momentarily halted last weekend, but we’re expecting them to atone for the loss. Tigers by 8.
Guildford Owls Vs Cabramatta Two Blues
McCredie Park, Saturday, April 19
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Summary: Guildford made it back-to-back wins last weekend with a strong 20-12 away victory over The Entrance. The Owls now find themselves inside the top-eight and will be aiming to stay there with a strong showing against Cabramatta this weekend. Paul Tuigamala and Casey Ellis have been standouts for the Owls in the early part of the season and will have their work cut out for them against a strong Two Blues pack. Cabramatta suffered their second defeat of the season last weekend with a shock loss to Windsor. The Two Blues were blown off the park in the opening exchanges and were trailing 28-0 after the first 20 minutes. The only positive for the Two Blues was the form of Bobby Goulding who kicked two 40/20s and started to look comfortable with his new team. If the Cabramatta forwards can hold their own, Goulding may be able to show his true form.
Prediction: Back-to-back wins tells us it is wise to tip the Owls. Guildford by 6.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Mounties
Ringrose Park, Sunday, April 20
Kick-off: 1.15pm
Referee: Jeff Hartup
Summary: Wentworthville continued their dominance of the early parts of the season with a thumping 68-6 defeat of Kingsgrove last weekend. The Magpies were ruthless in their execution and also claimed the OAMPS Cup as a result of their win. James Tuitahi continued his excellent form with four tries and will be looking to exploit any holes in Mounties defence. Mounties suffered their first defeat of the season in a shock loss to Asquith last weekend, and will be looking to prove that they can mix it with the best in the competition. The clash between Vaiotu and Cahalane up against Butler-Fleming and Tangira looks to be a feature of the game and if the Mounties pairing can win the battle; Mounties could inflict the Magpies first loss of the season.
Prediction: Prior to last weekend, this would have been a battle between two of the undefeated teams in the Ron Massey Cup. Mounties may have had their eye on this game, but we still think the Magpies will be too strong. Magpies by 10.
Kingsgrove Colts Vs Auburn Warriors
Hurstville Oval, Sunday, April 20
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Summary: The Auburn Warriors continued their impressive start to the year with a solid win over Burwood in round four of the Ron Massey Cup. The Warriors look to be building into quite an imposing side with plenty of size and speed to trouble their opponents. Full-back Fiteli Fatai has been in blistering form and scored a double last weekend. Look for him to trouble the Colts defence. Kingsgrove’s positive start to the season was served a solid reality check when they were hammered 68-6 by Wentworthville last weekend. With the OAMPS Cup on the line, it was expected that the Colts would put up a strong fight against the Premiers, but they were completely overwhelmed and will be looking to erase the memory of that game in a hurry. The Colts will have a difficult task on their hands this week and will need to lift considerably against the Warriors. If they can maintain an even share of the ball, they have the ability to cause an upset.
Prediction: Auburn looks to be building quite nicely. Warriors by 18.
Asquith Magpies Vs Western Suburbs Magpies
Storey Park, Sunday, April 20
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Asquith scored their first win of the year last weekend with a shock 23-16 defeat of Mounties. The Magpies played with plenty of energy and commitment and will be hoping to replicate their form in the ‘battle of the birds’. Asquith has now put two promising performances together against Mounties and Wentworthville and will look to Jack Hawkins, Adam Kalcina and Ben Fisher to make the most of their team’s opportunities. Western Suburbs continued their good early season form with a 48-16 defeat of Blacktown and will look forward to the battle between two forward packs that prefer to let their actions do the talking. Soni Passi, Tunui Maurangi and Rusty Bristow lead a strong Wests’ pack who has been providing their backs the opportunity to cause havoc in recent weeks.
Prediction: One of the hardest games to pick due to each sides good form, we’re leaning towards Asquith to cause an upset. Asquith by 6.
Click here to view this week’s team lists
Click here to view the Ron Massey Cup ladder
Click here to view all of the results from last weekend
