Kingsgrove Colts Vs Western Suburbs Magpies
Hurstville Oval, Saturday, August 9
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Summary: After a shellacking at the hands of Mounties, Kingsgrove produced a much improved effort against Windsor last weekend despite the 48-22 loss. The Colts may be sitting in eleventh position on the Ron Massey Cup ladder, but it’s important to remember that this has been a much improved season from the club and their four victories and numerous close encounters are testament to this. Abbas Miskie was in great form last weekend scoring a double and will lead from the front this weekend. Western Suburbs made it two victories from their last three outings last weekend with a 44-6 demolition of Mounties. In arguably their best performance of the season, the Magpies showed that they are capable of giving any team a run for their money with an eight tries-to-one victory that will send a warning to their rivals. Tala Mapasone made it six tries from his last five outings last weekend and will need to be watched closely by the Colts defence. Sitting in seventh position, a win here could edge the Magpies closer to a guaranteed finals spot.
Prediction: Western Suburbs have been piling on the points in recent weeks and the Colts will have to work hard to ensure they don’t give the Magpies any momentum. Magpies by 18.
Blacktown Workers Vs Auburn Warriors
HE Laybutt Sporting Complex, Saturday, August 9
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Summary: Auburn put the brakes on a three match losing streak last weekend with an emphatic 40-12 defeat of the Guildford Owls. The Warriors were lethal in their execution of the Owls and will receive plenty of confidence from their performance heading into this weekend. The Warriors currently sit just outside the top-four and will eyeing off this game as a chance to build momentum in the run into the finals. Tuuta Langi, Heka Nanai and Sione Kaiveleta have been in strong form and will threaten the defence at any opportunity. Blacktown escaped with a close victory over Burwood on the weekend and will be looking to finish the season on a strong note. With two wins from their last four games, the Workers have shown their potential, albeit a little late in the season, but if Auburn take them lightly they may be in for a rude shock. Gus Jasmin has been crafty out of dummy half in recent weeks and will be one to watch closely.
Prediction: Auburn looked strong after their victory last weekend and should be too strong here. Warriors by 12.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Cabramatta Two Blues
Ringrose Park, Sunday, August 10
Kick-off: 11.30am
Referee: Philip Sung
Summary: In a major warning to any side chasing their premiership crown, Wentworthville flexed their muscles on the weekend with a 38-0 victory over The Entrance. This was expected to be one of the games of the season and the Magpies treated the occasion as such, running in seven tries-to-nil in a dominant display. Wenty are proven performers at this time of year and they look to have timed their run to perfection once again. Matt Mundine is looking dangerous in the halves and is relishing playing behind a dominant forward pack. Cabramatta will prove to be strong opposition, but it remains to be seen if anyone can stop the Magpies when they’re at their best. After three-straight wins, Cabramatta will be disappointed with their efforts last weekend and will be out to prove that is was just a minor mishap. The Two Blues were comprehensively outplayed by Asquith and may have been guilty of having their eyes fixed on the match ahead. Cabramatta will be desperate to hold onto their position in the top-eight and a loss here could see them overtaken with only three rounds to play. Dave Farkas and Bobbie Goulding will be looking forward to the challenge against the Magpies halves.
Prediction: Always a tough battle between these two sides, but Wentworthville’s performance last weekend was first class and hard to ignore. Magpies by 10.
Guildford Owls Vs Windsor Wolves
McCredie Park, Sunday, August 10
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: James Vella
Summary: The Guildford Owls will be looking to avoid three straight losses this weekend when they clash with Windsor at McCredie Park. The Owls were dismantled by the Auburn Warriors last weekend to the tune of 40-12 and will be intent on keeping their finals hope alive with a victory. Jack Le Hang and Jason Gray have been strong in recent weeks and will look to get involved early. Windsor will be aiming for three wins in-a-row this weekend after strong victories over Kingsgrove and Auburn. The Wolves currently sit in ninth position on the ladder and need a win to keep their finals hopes alive. With two of their remaining four games played at home, the Wolves need to prove they can perform away from home and gain some momentum heading into a possible finals appearance. Logan Geyer’s performance at half-back will go a long way to determining the outcome of this match.
Prediction: Both teams are fighting for a top-eight position and a loss could see them struggle to make the finals. Wolves by 6.
Asquith Magpies Vs Burwood North Ryde United
Storey Park, Sunday, August 10
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Joshua McGowan
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: Asquith produced one of their best performances of the year last weekend, accounting for Cabramatta 46-16. The Magpies had gone three weeks without a victory and will receive a lot of confidence from their performance heading into this weekend. Currently sitting in fourth position, a win or loss could see them finish as high as second or as low as eighth by the completion of the round. Bryce Holland and Brendan Hurd have been strong in recent weeks and will look to lay the platform early. Burwood will be playing for pride this weekend as a disappointing season draws nearer to a close. United were defeated by Blacktown in a tough match last weekend and will need to lift if they are to threaten the Magpies. Having defeated Guildford 42-28 only two weeks ago, United are capable of an upset and a fast start may be their best chance at stunning the home side.
Prediction: Too much on the line for Asquith to take the visitors lightly. Magpies by 14.
Mounties Vs The Entrance Tigers
Mt Pritchard Sports Complex, Sunday, August 10
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Summary: Two teams looking to find their feet after heavy losses ensures an exciting clash at Mt Pritchard Sports Complex this weekend. After nine weeks without a loss, Mounties were hammered 44-6 in a shock loss for the second placed team in the competition. Whilst their form has been too good to suggest that they are struggling heading into the finals, it will be interesting to see how they respond to the challenge of backing up after a loss. Kurt Horton and Rodney Coates will lead from the front and need to have a big influence on the outcome of the result. After being the form team for the majority of the season, the Tigers are limping into the finals having only won one of their previous five matches. Hammered by Wentworthville 38-0 last weekends, the vital signs for the Tigers were not looking good and they will need to turn things around this weekend or risk being bundled out of the finals race earlier than anyone may have expected. Ryan O’Hara and Luke McInnes will need to lead their forwards into what will be an intriguing battle.
Prediction: Mounties to prove that last weekend was just a minor mishap. Mounties by 10.
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