EASTS TIGERS v WYNNUM MANLY
Langlands Park
Saturday, May 15 – 2pm* Live on ABC TV
Easts coach Jason Gainey will stick to the formula that paved the way for the Tigers’ crucial last-start victory over the Northern Pride. The Tigers entered that clash on shaky ground after a string of losses, but a number of positional changes – and better execution – seemed to do the trick in the 32-18 victory. David Georgiou remains at fullback for the clash against his former club after making a successful switch from the halves last weekend, while former winger Junior Ahio gets another chance in the back-row after an encouraging debut in the forwards. Wynnum Manly coach Paul Green has also tinkered with his side after consecutive losses, with Jake Granville earning a shot at fullback and John Peterson coming into the starting side at five-eighth. Wynnum Manly was comprehensively beaten by the Central Comets last weekend. However, a win over the Tigers in the local derby could see the Seagulls fly into third place and shrug off any concerns of a mid-season form slump. On the statistical front, Cameron Durnford moves past Scott Sipple to become the seventh most capped player in Queensland Cup history with 197 games.
NORTHERN PRIDE v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Pride Oval
Saturday, May 15 – 4pm
The Northern Pride holds the advantage in the head to head stakes with three wins from four previous outings against the Intrust Super Cup heavyweights. But the Pride faces a huge task to add to their tally of wins, despite meeting the Dolphins on home soil. Redcliffe is one of the form teams of the competition, racking up seven wins from the opening eight rounds to be in minor premiership contention nearing the half-way point of the season. John Dixon’s line-up looks settled after recovering from early injury setbacks to Kris Kahler and Ben Jones. In contrast, the Pride is yet to find any real rhythm, with injuries to key players and some indifferent on-field performances hindering their bid for consecutive grand final appearances. However, the season is by far no means over for the Pride. A win here could put them back into the top six. With Chris Sheppard still some weeks away from a return to the field, the Pride will again field a new halves combination in Quincy To’o To’o and Ryan Stig.
TWEED HEADS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Ned Byrne Field
Saturday, May 15 – 5pm
Tweed is eyeing off a third-straight Intrust Super Cup victory while the Cutters would desperately love a return to the winners’ circle after their momentum was halted slightly last weekend by Souths Logan. Tweed ran in a staggering 28 unanswered points by half-time in their match against the Ipswich Jets last Saturday. Ben Anderson’s side went on to win the round eight clash 38-18 but it is unlikely that they’ll get such a dream start against a dogged Cutters outfit. Mackay has proved that it is willing to roll its sleeves up this year and fight for the full 80 minutes. Souths Logan took a long time to get the better of the Cutters in Sunday’s bruising match at Davies Park. A second away trip and the short back up will test the Cutters but they have a number of aces up their sleeve. Classy fullback Justin Hunt continues to impress many good judges and another strong performance here will further push his claims for a Queensland Country jersey. Hunt sits in third spot on the leading scorer’s chart with 74 points from six tries and 25 goals.
CENTRAL COMETS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Browne Park
Saturday, May 15 – 7pm
The Comets produced arguably the season’s most impressive performance in front of the ABC Television cameras last weekend in their 30-6 dismantling of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. But the challenge for the Comets now is to back it up and get over the top of the classy Souths Logan Magpies. The Magpies are beginning to hit their straps and appear a genuine top three outfit in 2010. Their finals aspirations will face a searching examination in Rockhampton, with the Comets the talk of the town throughout the week after that eye-catching performance. Nathan Barraclough’s inclusion at five-eighth appeared to spark the Comets last weekend and the Emerald Tigers junior is sure to be a marked man when he steps out for just his second Intrust Super Cup outing of the season.
IPSWICH JETS v SUNSHINE COAST
North Ipswich Reserve
Sunday, May 16– 3pm
A must win game for both sides who have just four wins between them heading into the round nine clash. A touch of uncertainty hovers over the final make-up of the Ipswich Jets line-up. Halfback Ian Lacey could be a late inclusion after overcoming a nagging injury problem that has kept him out of the opening eight weeks. Lacey’s experience has been sorely missed by the out of sorts Ipswich outfit but there is still enough time in the season for the Jets to recover and challenge for the top six. Although only two competition points from sixth spot, a finals berth would be a long way from the mind of Sea Eagles coach Brandon Costin at the moment. Costin, who guided the Sea Eagles to a fairytale premiership last season, is yet to get a complete 80 minute performance from his side in 2010. Last week the Sea Eagles came agonisingly close to running down the Norths Devils despite giving away a 28 point start. The amazing recovery in the second half highlighted just how dangerous the Sea Eagles can be if they get it together.
BURLEIGH BEARS v NORTHS DEVILS
Pizzey Park
Sunday, May 16 – 3pm
The high-flying Norths Devils are closing in on their best run in the Queensland Cup. The Devils have eight wins from as many attempts and another successful outing this weekend against Burleigh would equal their nine-game winning streak in 2005. The attacking records of the round nine opponents make for interesting reading – Norths (246) have scored the most points and the Bears the fewest (128). However, Burleigh did manage to put on four tries in their tough away trip against Redcliffe last week. Redcliffe got the cash but there was a lot to like about the Bears’ effort. Former NRL star Richie Williams notched a double against the Dolphins and he’ll again be a key figure in Burleigh’s push for the vital competition points. Hooker Scott Smith plays his 50th match for the Bears, just two weeks after notching his 100th career game in the Queensland Cup.
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