It’s shaping up to be another massive week for NSWRL TV with Round Five of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup to feature a tribute to a Rugby League legend and a match in regional NSW to celebrate 100 years of history. There will also be the final round of Junior Representatives matches before the Finals Series starts and another Monday night blockbuster in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
The action starts at 10am on Saturday when Manly Warringah Sea Eagles takes on Balmain Tigers in the UNE Harold Matthews Cup, followed by the same clubs battling it out again at 11.30am in the SG Ball Cup. The action will go up another notch again when Tumut and Gundagai face off for the prestigious Maher Cup at 2pm on Saturday while the late Tommy Raudonikis’ club, Newtown Jets will face the North Sydney Bears in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at 2pm on Sunday. Helensburgh Tigers will take on South Sydney Rabbitohs to round things off in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership at 7pm on Monday night.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
All eyes will be on the North Sydney Bears and Newtown Jets game at North Sydney Oval on Sunday, as Newtown honours former ‘old boy’ Tommy Raudonikis by trying to grab their second win of the season and lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
Raudonikis, who started his career with Western Suburbs before switching to Newtown and was later named in both the Team of the Century for the Magpies and the Jets, passed away on Wednesday, aged 70, following a long battle with illness. A tribute to Raudonikis will be shown during the match.
The Jets scored four tries but were beaten 60-20 by the Raiders last weekend and will be seeking a little redemption. The Bears are fresh after a bye and will be looking to push from fifth spot into the top-four.
Maher Cup
One hundred years of rugby league history is celebrated on Saturday when the Tumut Blues take on the Gundagai Tigers for the prestigious Maher Cup at the Twickenham Rugby League Complex on Saturday.
The first match between these two rivals was played in August 1921 and they’ll be at it again 100 years later for the piece of silverware which is held in high regard around Regional NSW.
The challenge format for teams in the Riverina/South West Slopes area ended in 1971. It has been revived 50 years later this weekend with 3,000 spectators expected.
The Story of The Maher Cup
The cup is still the original that former publican of The Wynyard Hotel, Edward Maher, donated to the competition in 1921. NSWRL chief executive David Trodden will present the cup to the winning team.
“It’s got a few dents in it but it still looks glorious,” said Ray Carr, secretary of the Tumut Blues Rugby League ‘Old Boys’, “And it means so much to people around here.”
Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership
Jess Sergis’ four-try haul in Helensburgh Tigers’ 30-20 win over Wests Tigers last weekend will have her team still on a high as they face the Rabbitohs at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Monday night.
South Sydney is searching for their first win of the season and will look to hooker Shirley Mailangi again for inspiration after she has scored in two of the Rabbitohs three games so far.
UNE SG Ball Cup
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles can still push for a top two finish and an all-important week off if they topple Balmain Tigers at Lottoland on Saturday in the final round before the first week of finals.
The Sea Eagles were impressive last round after beating St George Dragons 56-24. Sea Eagles fullback and NSWRL Pathways player Kaeo Weekes grabbed two tries while halfback Jamie Humphreys had a busy day with the boot after landing eight from 10 goals.
The Tigers are no longer a mathematical chance to make the finals but will be keen to finish the season on a high. They have been in strong form since the washout round after scoring a 64-4 win over North Sydney Bears and 36-20 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs.
UNE Harold Matthews Cup
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been the team to beat this season after winning all their games and they will be looking to enter the finals with plenty of confidence when they face Balmain Tigers at Lottoland on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles sit two points clear of Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels, who could both leapfrog them if results fall their way. The Sea Eagles have been in impressive form after scoring a 44-16 win over the Panthers and 32-16 win over St George Dragons.
The Tigers are no longer a chance to make the finals but can maintain their recent good form which has included a 28-18 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs and 28-22 win over North Sydney Bears.
