Auburn Warriors Vs Kingsgrove Colts
Belmore Sports Ground, Saturday, June 7
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Despite sitting in fourth spot on the ladder, Auburn are just one competition point off top spot, and a win here could possibly see them go as high as first by rounds end depending on other results. The Colts put in an admirable performance against the Tigers last weekend in a match where the scoreboard probably didn’t reflect their overall effort. Auburn were no match for Wenty last week and will be keen to bounce straight back to form here in a match where they will be heavy favourites. When these two sides played back in round five, the Warriors had to score two late tries to get out of jail 38-26 at Hurstville Oval. John Sila bagged a double that day and was a real handful for the young Colts backline. Hopefully they are better prepared to handle the likes of him, Heka Nanai and Matt Utai this time around.
Prediction: The Warriors should be too strong for the Colts but look for Kingsgrove to make them earn it. Warriors by 12.
Western Suburbs Magpies Vs Asquith Magpies
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, June 7
Kick-off: 1.00pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Summary: Two of the hottest sides in the Ron Massey Cup square off here in what should be one of the matches of the round. Somewhat ironically, the Western Suburbs Magpies have not tasted defeat since a round five 30-24 loss at the hands of this weekend’s opponents, Asquith. Since then Wests have reeled off four wins and a draw to see them move to within striking distance of top spot. Asquith has also been hot of late, having won six of their last seven which includes wins against the likes of Mounties, Cabra and Auburn. As was the case when these two teams met in round five, there is very little separating them on paper at least. Asquith has the best defence in the Ron Massey Cup, allowing just 18 points a game, while Wests defence is almost as good, allowing just 19 points per game. Dayne Craig has been brilliant of late for Wests and will need to be closed down by the Asquith defence, and Daniel Vaseak has shown his value off the bench for Asquith of late, helping himself to a few tries when the opportunity presents itself.
Prediction: A real coin flip job this one. Maybe the home side in a thriller. Wests by 2.
Blacktown Workers Vs The Entrance Tigers
HE Laybutt Sporting Complex, Saturday, June 7
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Summary: Blacktown will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they clash with The Entrance Tigers at HE Laybutt Sporting Complex this weekend. After a slow start to the year, the Workers have produced strong efforts with victories over Windsor and Guildford in recent weeks and will be hoping to build on their recent momentum heading into the middle of the season. Akeripa Tia Kilifi and Byron Fruean are a strong pairing in the centre’s and will look to impose themselves on the contest. The Entrance has been unbeaten in six of their previous seven matches and finds themselves in second position on the ladder after a strong first half of the season. After a number of close matches, the Tigers clicked into gear last weekend in a 38-6 demolition of the Kingsgrove Colts and with Perry LeBrocque in slashing form, the Workers will need to be on full alert.
Prediction: The Entrance to flex their muscles over a brave Blacktown. Tigers by 6.
Burwood North Ryde United Vs Windsor Wolves
TG Milner, Sunday, June 8
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Burwood will be hoping to claim their second victory of the season when they take on the Windsor Wolves this weekend. United have had a tough season thus far, and have had a couple of tough games in recent weeks against Wentworthville and Asquith. United have shown they can be competitive in the majority of their games this season and may just need the bounce of the ball to go their way to turn things around. Windsor will be aiming to arrest a worrying form slump that has seen them lose four of their last five matches. Usually a team who wins the majority of their games at home, the Wolves will need to do it the hard way this weekend and will need props Hutch Maiava and Matt Lupi to stand up and lead the way.
Prediction: Windsor to get the cash in a hard fought match. Wolves by 6.
Cabramatta Two Blues Vs Mounties
New Era Stadium, Sunday, June 8
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Damien Briscoe
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)
Summary: Usually a team who is accustomed to being inside the top-four for the majority of the season, Cabramatta has struggled for consistency over the opening half of the season and will be hoping to enter the second half of the year on a positive note. The Two Blues haven’t tasted victory in the last four weeks and will be relying on halves Dave Farkas and Bobby Goulding to lead the way against Mounties. Currently sitting just one point above their opponents this weekend on the Ron Massey Cup ladder, Mounties made it back-to-back victories last weekend with a 38-20 victory over Burwood. Lock Kurt Horton had a stellar game grabbing a hat-trick and will once again be a player to watch this weekend.
Prediction: Mounties to make it three in a row. Mounties by 2.
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Click here to view all of the results from last weekend
Click here to view the round eleven team lists
