Finals race far from over as clubs fight for a place in the top five
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There are only a few rounds left to play in the FOGS Colts Challenge, but the race for a place in this year’s finals series is still well and truly on.
However, while there are six rounds remaining on the draw – there are only five games, with all teams having a bye in Round 23 (August 15-16) for the Intrust Super Cup Country Week fixtures.
At the moment, the Burleigh Bears are comfortably perched at the top of the ladder and are yet to be defeated this season.
The Bears are seven points clear of the second-placed Redcliffe Dolphins and are likely to retain that number one spot going into the finals.
As the defending premiers, the Dolphins have also had a strong season; only incurring four losses. They are three points clear of the third-placed Wynnum Manly Seagulls who have started to flock towards that second placing.
Wynnum Manly have been a force this season, but in recent weeks, they have had back-to-back losses to rivals the Tweed Heads Seagulls and again last weekend to Redcliffe.
This weekend they will have the major task of taking on the competition leaders the Bears at their home ground of Pizzey Park.
Next on the ladder are fourth-placed Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Falcons had a great start to the season and have regaining that winning form, posting back-to-back wins these past two weeks. However, there are only two points separating them and the fifth-placed Norths Devils.
The Devils did not have the ideal start to the year, only notching their first win in Round 6. However, since then, the Devils have started to find their winning form to hold their place top five.
Right behind them on the same competition points (18) are the Souths Logan Magpies, with a small gap to the remaining chasing teams the Tigers (15), Ipswich (14), Tweed Heads (13) and Toowoomba (10). As the finals edge closer; the need pressure to perform will only grow for those who remain a realistic hope of playing into September.
Round 20 will kick off this Saturday with the Ipswich Jets hosting the Souths Logan with both teams coming on losses where they were held scoreless.
Sunday will continue the round with Tweeds Heads taking on the Easts Tigers while the Redcliffe Dolphins will play host to the Devils. The last match of the round will see the Bears host the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons and Toowoomba Clydesdales – who both secured Round 19 wins – have a bye this round.
