Mounties Vs Cabramatta Two Blues
Mt Pritchard Sports Complex, Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Todd Smith
Summary: Mounties remain in the hunt for the minor premiership, sitting just two points behind ladder leaders Wentworthville, and will be looking to stamp their authority as we enter the final stretch into the finals. Mounties were convincing last weekend in a 24-12 defeat of The Entrance and will be looking to build on that momentum this weekend. Jacob Mayer, Clay Priest and Kurt Horton have been strong in recent weeks and will look to gain the advantage for their side from the opening kick-off. Cabramatta will be looking to keep their finals hopes alive, with any loss over the final four rounds having the potential to end their season. The Two Blues did it tough last weekend against Wentworthville and will now know what it takes if they are to seriously threaten for the title. Amanono Tevio scored a double last weekend and will threaten the defensive line.
Prediction: Mounties to be too strong for the visitors. Mounties by 12.
Windsor Wolves Vs Blacktown Workers
Windsor Sports Complex, Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au)
Summary: The Windsor Wolves kept their finals hopes alive last weekend with a 32-20 victory over Guildford and will be looking to build on that performance this weekend. The Wolves currently sit in eighth position on the Ron Massey Cup ladder and have Cabramatta breathing down their necks if they are to fail with a loss this weekend. Solofa Silipa is a dangerous proposition at fullback and will look to get involved around the middle of the field late in each half. Blacktown made it back-to-back wins last weekend to keep their slim finals hopes alive and will be hoping that they can build on their impressive 22-20 victory over Auburn. The Workers have played in a number of close games over the last six weeks and this may come in handy if they are to once again have the result go down to the wire this weekend. John Taaga has also been playing well and his battle with Silipa at fullback will be a highlight.
Prediction: Form has us just leaning towards Windsor, but Blacktown is more than capable of an upset. Wolves by 6.
Auburn Warriors Vs Asquith Magpies
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Jeff Hartup
Summary: The Auburn Warriors will be looking to rejoin the winners circle this weekend after a shock defeat to Blacktown last weekend. The Warriors have slid to sixth position on the ladder after only one win from their previous five matches and will be hoping they can rediscover the form that made them a premiership threat early on in the season. Matt Utai has been one of the Warriors best this season and will need to lead his team back into form. Asquith have won three of the last six matches and have been impressive despite some unexpected losses. The Magpies currently sit in third position and will be determined to finish in the top four at the end of the regular season. Michael Pearsall scored a hat-trick last weekend and will be a player to watch.
Prediction: A tough game is guaranteed, the winner is not so clear. Magpies by 6.
The Entrance Tigers Vs Western Suburbs Magpies
EDSACC Oval, Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Philip Sung
Summary: The Entrance, in fourth position, surprisingly have the worst points-scored record of any team in the top eight – and the third-worst points-scored record of any team in the entire competition! They’ve managed to notch just 432 points in 19 matches and could have their hands full with the Magpies this week. A force to be reckoned with during the first half of the season, the Tigers have been showing a worrying trend to fall asleep during matches and it could prove costly once again this weekend. Western Suburbs are still in the running for a top-four finish to the season and will be out to draw level with the Tigers this weekend. The Magpies have been quite impressive in recent weeks and have the opportunity to send a strong warning to their rivals with a victory over a top-four side. Vieru Mapasone and Sam Aiga are forming a dangerous combination and will need to be watched closely.
Prediction: This match, pitting fourth-placed The Entrance against the fifth-placed Western Suburbs, should be a classic. We’ll go with the home side, just. The Tigers by 4.
Guildford Owls Vs Kingsgrove Colts
McCredie Park, Sunday, August 17
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: Joshua McGowan
Summary: Guildford are no shoo-ins for the finals just yet despite sitting in seventh place with three rounds remaining. The Owls are currently staring down the barrel of four straight losses and will need to lift their game if they want to gain momentum heading into the finals. Casey Ellis has been a tower of strength for Guildford and will lead from the front during the forward exchanges. The Colts, on just nine points, are no chance of qualifying for the finals but will be looking to claim a scalp before they enjoy the off-season. Soundly beaten by Western Suburbs last weekend, the Colts will need to lift to a man if they are to cause an upset this weekend.
Prediction: It’s hard to go past Guilford in this one. In front of their home crowd, the Owls should prove too powerful for a side with little to play for. Guildford by 14.
Burwood North Ryde United Vs Wentworthville Magpies
TG Milner, Sunday, August 17
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Summary: The cellar-dwellers host the high-flyers at TG Milner on Sunday. Burwood North Ryde have won just four matches all year, in stark contrast to the form of the first-placed Magpies. United, however, almost claimed a big prize last week – they went within a whisker of beating the third-placed Asquith Magpies, eventually finishing the match on the wrong side of a 30-28 score line. Joe Flint scored a double against the Magpies and will be hungry for a repeat dose this weekend. Wentworthville continued their ominous form leading into the finals with a big win over Cabramatta. The Magpies made it four wins in a row and will be looking to continue their rich vein of form with victory number five this weekend. Keehan Diamond scored a hat-trick last weekend and will be a player to watch.
Prediction: As romantic as we are and as much as we’d love to see David overpower Goliath, we reckon there’s no chance of Burwood North Ryde recording an upset in front of their home fans. Magpies by 10.
Make sure you are following @NSWRL on twitter and monitoring the #RMCup hashtag all season long for all the latest news and scores.
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 twenty team lists