Western Suburbs Magpies Vs Burwood North Ryde United
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday, July 19
Kick-off: 11.45am
Referee: Phillip Sung
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available via www.steelesports.com.au)
Summary: Western Suburbs will be looking to bounce back to form when they take on Burwood in round sixteen of the Ron Massey Cup. The Magpies were defeated by Blacktown last weekend and will be disappointed with their efforts in a match they were expected to win. Wests looked fluent in attack throughout the game, but struggled defensively when it mattered and one can expect a much improved effort this weekend. Burwood will be aiming for three-straight victories after causing an upset with a win over Auburn in round fifteen. United had only won a singular game in 2014 before their wins over Kingsgrove and Auburn and we’re expecting to see them come out full of confidence against the Magpies. Look for Burwood to play an up tempo style of game to combat the Magpies big forward pack.
Prediction: Western Suburbs to sneak home in a close game. Magpies by 6.
Kingsgrove Colts Vs Blacktown Workers
Hurstville Oval, Saturday, July 19
Kick-off: 1.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Summary: Kingsgrove pulled off the upset of the season last weekend when they defeated reigning premiers Wentworthville 30-24. The Colts produced their best performance of the season and refused to be intimidated by their more fancied opponents. In a stoic defensive performance in the first half, the Colts held their opponents up several times to deny points and continued their efforts throughout the game to record a memorable win. The challenge for Kingsgrove this weekend will be to harness the emotion of the victory and repeat the performance. Blacktown also pulled off an upset on the weekend, defeating Western Suburbs 44-36. The Workers went toe to toe with their opponents and what they lacked in defensive structure, they more than made up for with attacking flair. The Workers will need to be at their best to hold out a resurgent Colts, with both teams needing to string wins together to be any hope of reaching the finals.
Prediction: Kingsgrove to grind out back-to-back victories. Colts by 6.
Auburn Warriors Vs Mounties
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, July 19
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Phil Haines
Summary: Auburn will be hoping to bounce back to form after being defeated by Burwood last weekend. The Warriors were looking like premiership favorites mid-way through the season but have slumped to three losses from their last four appearances. Currently sitting just outside the top-four, expect the Warriors to come out firing in a clash with the team who are sitting just one position above them on Ron Massey Cup ladder. Mounties six-game winning streak came to an end last weekend when they drew with Asquith 28-all. Mounties will be content in the knowledge that they weren’t defeated by the Magpies and will take the result as a reminder to keep the foot on the pedal on the road to the finals. This match has a semi-final feeling about it and early bragging rights may go to the team who comes out on top.
Prediction: Mounties to remain undefeated in eight-straight appearances. Mounties by 4.
The Entrance Tigers Vs Cabramatta Two Blues
EDSACC Oval, Saturday, July 19
Kick-off: 6.00pm
Referee: Joshua McGowan
Summary: To continue the round of upsets, The Entrance Tigers were defeated by Guildford in round fifteen and will look to bounce back to form after back-to-back losses. The Tigers currently sit in on top of the Ron Massey Cup ladder and can be thankful that the teams beneath them have also stumbled in recent weeks. Returning to their home ground will provide them with a boost and they will be hungry to return to the winners circle. Cabramatta made it three wins from four with a win over Windsor last weekend, but will be aiming to improve their defence when they take on the Tigers. The Two Blues scored 42 points but conceded 34 which would be a concern to the coaching staff leading into such a big match. Look for this to be a low scoring, brutal affair.
Prediction: The Entrance to sneak home in a tough clash. Tigers by 2.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Windsor Wolves
Ringrose Park, Sunday, July 20
Kick-off: 1.15pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au
Summary: Wentworthville will be looking to regain their pride this weekend after being defeated by Kingsgrove last weekend in the upset of the season. The Magpies will be hoping that last weekend’s result was due to some strange alignment of the moon, with several more fancied sides defeated by their opponents. The Magpies will be looking to stay within range of the Tigers, who currently sit in first position, and will be looking at this as a must win game for their confidence. Windsor scored 34 points last weekend but were still unable to come up with a victory against Cabramatta. The Wolves will be disappointed with their efforts after such a strong win over the Tigers a week earlier and will come out with all guns blazing in what is potentially the match of the round. Look for both sides forwards to get on top early and lay the platform for their playmakers.
Prediction: Wenty to bounce back to their best at home. Wenty by 10.
Asquith Magpies Vs Guildford Owls
Storey Park, Sunday, July 20
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Asquith will be looking to go one step further in round sixteen after grinding out a thrilling draw against Mounties last weekend. The Magpies will be ruing a number of missed opportunities throughout the game, but can be satisfied with their efforts in what was a tough and uncompromising game of football. Asquith currently sits in third position on the ladder and will be looking to keep their heads above the logjam down below in the run to the finals. Guildford produced one of their best performances of the year last weekend when they defeated The Entrance 28-20. The Owls were relentless in defence and hungry in attack and will need to replicate that performance against Asquith to continue their climb up the ladder. The Owls have now recorded back-to-back victories and will be intent on improving their record.
Prediction: Asquith to sneak home in a thriller. Magpies by 1.
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Click here to view the Ron Massey Cup ladder
Click here to view all of the results from last round
Click here to view the round sixteen team lists
