Blacktown Workers Vs Mounties
HE Laybutt Sporting Complex, Saturday, April 5
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Kasey Badger
Summary: After their round one defeat of Asquith, the Blacktown Workers were brought back to reality last weekend when they were convincingly beaten 48-14 by Premiers Wentworthville. The Workers started the game extremely well and were on top of the Magpies before being overrun and Coach Adam Tuite will be hoping for a more sustained effort this weekend. Forwards Jordan Strickland and Stuart McDonald will be given the task of leading the way. Mounties will play only their second game of the season after their clash with Guildford was postponed due to bad weather. Mounties scraped home with a close 36-34 defeat of Windsor in round one and will possibly be a little rusty heading into this game. With a classy backline containing Theo Leato, Louis Vaiotu and Brendan Newton, Mounties have the strike power to cause Blacktown plenty of headaches.
Prediction: Mounties to prevail for their second win of the season. Mounties by 8.
Auburn Warriors Vs Cabramatta Two Blues
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, April 5
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Damian Briscoe
Summary: Cabramatta will be looking to build on their successful start to the season when they travel to Auburn to take on the Warriors. Having scored a solid 26-6 win over Burwood last weekend, the Two Blues will take plenty of momentum into the match and will look to benefit from the form of interchange forward Tifa Iuta who scored a double last weekend. Auburn will be hoping to get themselves back on the winners list after a 42-30 loss to The Entrance last weekend. The Warriors slow start to the game was a cause for concern with the Tigers scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes to lead 18-0. If they concede the same amount of points to Cabramatta, the game could be well out of reach. Halfback Lindon McGrady is the key and will be the watched closely by the Cabra defence.
Prediction: Cabramatta to score an away victory in a close one. Two Blues by 8.
Windsor Wolves Vs The Entrance Tigers
Windsor Sports Complex, Saturday, April 5
Kick-off: 5.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au)
Summary: The Entrance have been the surprise packets of the opening two rounds, having scored solid victories over Burwood and Auburn. Expected to struggle at the start of the year, the Tigers have proved everyone wrong in the early stages and will look to capitalise on their good form against Windsor. Jake Fitzpatrick has been sensational for his side and will be the danger for the Wolves. Windsor will be hoping they can use the home crowd to their advantage when they search for their first win of the year. Close losses to Mounties and Western Suburbs have been unfortunate for a side which is playing good football, but perhaps not making the most of their opportunities. Shenelle Haumono has been in great form for his side and will be looked upon to lead the forward pack.
Prediction: The toughest game to pick a winner from in round three. We’re leaning towards the confidence of two victories providing The Entrance with the belief to make it three from three. Tigers by 4.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Asquith Magpies
Ringrose Park, Sunday, April 6
Kick-off: 1.15pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Summary: The Premiers once again showed why they’re the team to beat in this year’s Ron Massey Cup with a devastating 48-14 win over Burwood in a game where they didn’t play particularly well. After a slow start to the game, the Magpies flexed their muscle and will be a tough proposition for the Asquith side. Siai Tanginoa and Jake Butler-Fleming are no strangers to the try-line and will be looking to repeat their double efforts from last weekend. Asquith will play only their second game of the year after their clash with Kingsgrove was postponed due to bad weather. A close 28-21 loss to Blacktown in round one showed glimpses of good form, but it is hard to get a gauge on a team from only one game. The Magpies have a hard working forward pack and they will need to be at their best against their rival Magpies.
Prediction: Wentworthville to be too strong in the battle of the birds. (Wenty) Magpies by 20.
Guildford Owls Vs Western Suburbs Magpies
McCredie Park, Sunday, April 6
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: Jeff Hartup
Summary: The Guildford Owls will be looking forward to getting back on the paddock after their game last weekend was postponed. Despite going down 42-26 to Wentworthville in round one, there was plenty to like about the Owls in 2014 and they will have a tough battle on their hands when they take on Western Suburbs. The spine of Jason Gray, Mark Doud, Sean McGuiness and Ben Ellis looks promising and has the potential to trouble the Magpies. Western Suburbs scored a hard-fought win over Windsor last weekend and will be looking to build on that momentum with a strong showing against the Owls. The Magpies have been impressive over the opening rounds and have been one of the most energetic teams in the competition. Watch for Junior Vai Vai and Jerome Mose to find their way onto the scorer’s sheet.
Prediction: A tough battle is guaranteed, but the winner is not so clear. We’re leaning towards
a Western Suburbs victory, but only just. Magpies by 2.
Burwood North Ryde United Vs Kingsgrove Colts
TG Milner Field, Sunday, April 6
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Jeremy Smith’s Colts will be well rested after their round two fixture against Asquith was postponed due to the inclement weather last weekend, while Burwood North Ryde will be desperate to atone for last weekend’s 26-6 loss at the hands of Cabramatta. Burwood North Ryde hooker Kurt Aldridge has been in impressive form to start the season and his control of the ruck and sharpness in attack will be the key to his side’s chances come Sunday afternoon. The Colts have plenty of strike weapons in their arsenal and the likes of former Bulldogs junior Addison Demetriou and Sam Matakaiono look most likely to trouble the Burwood defence. The key for Burwood is to release their highly experienced back-line. Michael Bani, Matt Evans and Samiu Latu all have experience in higher grades and if halves Tom Henderson and Joshua Phillips can get them enough ball, the Burwood side will be hard to stop.
Prediction: Hard to tip because the Colts will be so fresh. We think the Colts will stick with the Burwood boys till the bitter end but lose in a close one. Burwood by 2.
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
