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Ipswich Jets v Redcliffe Dolphins
Saturday 12.45pm
North Ipswich Reserve
Ipswich conjured a win for the ages last round, beating Logan Brothers despite playing the second half with just 13 men. We hope those at the Jets have earned a relatively easy week heading into a big clash against Redcliffe at home. Halves combination of Haydan Lipp and Chris Ash continues to go from strength-to-strength, while Peter Whittaker has speed to burn at hooker.
The Dolphins were washed out last week and have named the versatile Kyle van Klaveren at halfback with Nick Ritter shifting to the backrow. Both teams take pride in their defence – we could see a low scoring one at North Ipswich Reserve.
Logan Brothers v Gaters
Saturday 3pm
Civic Park
Logan Brothers were their own worst enemy last Saturday, with errors cruelling their chances against Ipswich. Aside from an early second half surge, it was an uncharacteristic performance. Brothers five-eighth and BRL leading try scorer Ihaka Watene continues to press for an Intrust Super Cup jersey and is again named on an extended Souths Logan bench.
Gaters are coming off a win over Valleys, albeit a fortnight ago. Their edge players and centre pairing Keiran English and Aaron Corbyn will need to make smart decisions in defence to counter the size and footwork of Logan Brothers’ fringe attackers.
Wynnum Manly Redland City v Carina
Saturday 3.15pm
BMD Kougari Oval
Carina’s early season draw has been exceptionally difficult, meeting high fliers Redcliffe, Logan Brothers and Ipswich in the opening three rounds. Their task doesn’t get any easier against second-placed Wynnum Manly Redland City on Saturday.
WM Redland City seem to grow an extra leg at BMD Kougari Oval. The red and green have posted 76 points in their two matches in front of the ‘Chook Pen’ this season. Another who likes the venue is fullback Mitchell Lollback, who has scored five tries in his two appearances at the ground. Named in the Australia Tertiary side after starring for Queensland, Lollback is on the comeback from a fractured eye socket.
Normanby Hounds v Valleys Diehards
Sunday 11.50am
Davies Park
LIVE STREAM: http://livestream.com/accounts/9436031/events/4031736
One of Souths Logan’s feeder clubs goes head-to-head with Valleys as the curtain raiser to the Magpies’ Cup clash against Redcliffe. Normanby produced their best effort of the season last Sunday to beat local rivals West Brisbane and may have turned the corner after a difficult opening four weeks. Halfback Ollie Olds has been named for Normanby and Souths Logan, so we’ll have to wait until kickoff on Sunday to see which jersey he dons.
Meanwhile, Valleys finished strongly against Wynnum Manly Redland City, but are still searching for a maiden victory. They’ll be without prop Billy Solah, who is named for Norths Devils. On average, the Diehards score 28 points a match but have regrettably conceded 142 across four games. A win would seem them leapfrog the Hounds on the ladder.
Easts Tigers v West Brisbane Panthers
Sunday 3pm
Scott Park
The Tigers are another side affected by the weather, with their match against Redcliffe postponed to next weekend. Centre Michael Kai has earned an ISC call-up and is replaced by Griffin Freeman while their pack is boosted by the inclusion of wrecking ball Foisa Peni and lock forward Brenton Horwood.
West Brisbane go into the match with a different halves pairing to their last-start loss to Normanby, with Michael Rasmussen returning to partner Jardii Nean. Journeyman Gideon Mzembe is set to make a return on the wing and will no doubt give the side some finishing prowess and scoots from dummy half.
