News

Top five looks set at halfway stage

PETER BARRETT

17 Jun, 2010 09:51 AM

THE Group 2 VB Mid-Strength competition commences round two this weekend and after the deferred match between Macksville and Bellingen last weekend, the top five is sorted.

It was another high-scoring match that wasn’t decided until the last 10 minutes when Macksville overcame Bellingen 46-30.

Macksville had its captain coach Grant Coleman sent off and in a separate incident Bellingen’s Bert Gray also got his marching orders in the second half.

Macksville young guns Sam Miles and Edgar Cowell led the way for its eight tries to six victory.

Local derby

The Sawtell Panthers host the Coffs Comets this weekend, with the home side hoping to repeat their first round 42-28 victory.

The Panthers have had the last round and last weekend off and will be fresh and ready to play. Their impressive for and against have them on track to defend their premiership.

The Comets, who are gaining momentum after a slow start, have put together five victories in a row and would love nothing better than to win this one and prove they are the real deal.

Coffs Harbour will be miss Andy Miller and Colin Bell, but veteran Darren Blackett and Blaze Partier are capable replacements.

Sawtell has half Warren Jarrett missing and the pressure will be on Jared Carruthers to match Troy Robinson.

Both sides love to let the ball do the work and both backlines can score from either end.

Ryan Previtt and Comet Ben McCarthy will be a deciding factor.

Old rivals Orara Axemen will welcome Woolgoolga to Coramba, with both hanging on to a glimmer of hope to make the top five.

The Axemen will hope exciting halves Dan Slater and Keedan Williams will get plenty of the ball and set up try-scoring winger Nathan Hardy.

Woolgoolga was unlucky against Port Macquarie and will look for Rob Toshack and forwards Sammy Van Hammond and Kelcie Davis to control the game.

Port Macquarie should continue Bellingen’s woes when the Magpies head south.

Nambucca Heads travels to Kempsey hoping to break a five-game losing streak when it tackles Macleay Valley.

The home side is on the bottom of the ladder and will go all out to change that position.

NRL update

How much of a dejected man is Craig Bellamy?

After the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, the Origin debacle and watching his players get blamed and called cheats, how does he sleep at nights?

The Broncos’ young guns have come of age and how exciting are they? After being freely tipped not to make the eight, they are now tipped to be a serious contender, plus they will pick all their Origin players after one day off.

Good tipping (my picks in capital letters).

NRL Fixtures

Friday: Broncos v Panthers, Bulldogs v Titans.

Saturday: Storm v Cowboys, Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs.

Sunday: Sharks v Dragons, Tigers v Raiders.

Monday: Knights v Eels.

Bye: Roosters and Warriors.

Men of League

Friday 2pm, Sawtell RSL, is the place to be and join our own for rugby league stories from the past and present.

To make our North Coast branch successful, we need all your support so we can have bowls, golf and racing days in the future.

Former Wests international Noel Kelly will join former Tigers John Baker and Jim Cody, so have all your questions ready.

A framed photo of the team of the century, signed by Ron Coote and Noel Kelly, will be auctioned.