Here are the previews for this weekend’s Ron Massey Cup matches.
The Saturday and Sunday matches are round eleven games which have been brought forward to accommodate a special anniversary clash between Cabra and Mounties in a fortnight’s time, while the Friday night fixture between Windsor and the Tigers was a postponed clash from round three.
Windsor Wolves Vs The Entrance Tigers
Windsor Sports Complex, Friday, May 23
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Referee: Damian Briscoe
Summary: Well this clash was originally down to be a round three fixture some two months ago, but the big wet that hit NSW at the time means that instead of having this weekend off, the Wolves and Tigers will be duking it out in a Friday night clash here. The Wolves currently sit in ninth spot and will be desperate for a win while the Tigers have lost just once in eight outings and are looking the goods as we enter the middle third of the season. The Wolves lost to Blacktown by eight points last round and at least can bank on their home fans for a lift here while the Tigers played out an entertaining 24 all draw with the Magpies last weekend. In fact, the Tigers have posted two wins and a draw from their last three outings with an accumulative margin of just four points. Allen Mulia Malau and Kieran Croft are likely to oppose one another in the centres and both have a liking for the try line, so expect to see some action out wide while two seasoned veterans in Ryan O’Hara and Hutch Maiava will square off up front.
Prediction: The Wolves just aren’t clicking right now and the Tigers will start favourites. Tigers by 8.
Mounties Vs Wentworthville Magpies
Aubrey Keech Reserve, Saturday, May 24
Kick-off: 1.15pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Summary: Two of the competitions traditional rivals will lock horns here in a fixture that always throws up plenty of passion. After having gone winless their previous three weeks, Wenty bounced back with a 60-28 win last round against Burwood while Mounties should be well rested after they had last weekend off. It has been a tough opening couple months to 2014 for Mounties. They have managed three wins and four losses from their seven outings and find themselves some six points behind the top four. But with one of the more talented rosters in the Ron Massey Cup, you get a sense that a mid-season charge is definitely on the cards. Wenty’s VB NSW Cup side has the bye this weekend, so their Ron Massey Cup outfit should be at full strength for this rivalry match. Evander Cummins has begun to recapture some of his best form in recent weeks following an adaption period after joining Parramatta from the Dragons in the off season. While for Mounties, Adam Tangata is always knocking on the door of VB NSW Cup selection, so he will be out for another big game.
Prediction: Could go either way here but we like Mounties… just. Mounties by 2.
Cabramatta Two Blues Vs Guildford Owls
New Era Stadium, Sunday, May 25
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Seventh hosts sixth here when the Cabramatta Two Blues take on the Guildford Owls this Sunday afternoon. Guildford had their way with Kingsgrove last round, but one suspects this will prove to be a far more torrid affair. Cabra, like Mounties above, had last weekend off, but did have a draw against Wenty the week before, and that type of form would see them very tough to beat here. Cabra have taken a while to adjust to life with new coach having taken over from Chris Yates. There has also been plenty of personnel dramas for the club, with a number of players shifting in and out of VB NSW Cup and Sydney Shield due to injury and form. Despite all of this, their roster is beginning to look stronger each and every outing and the likes of Gallant, Farkas and Sapsford bring plenty of VB NSW Cup experience to the squad. Guildford is one of the youngest and brightest sides in the competition. Seldom are the matches they play in anything other than exciting. This fixture shouldn’t be any different.
Prediction: Tipping the home side but with no real conviction. Two Blues by 6.
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Click here to view all of the results from last weekend
Click here to view this weekend’s team lists
