The Rugby League Ipswich A Grade competition returns to action this weekend with the Swifts Bluebirds hoping to become the first side to defeat Brothers Ipswich on Sunday.
The Bluebirds have hit form and moved into third place with some solid performances in recent weeks.
Aside from a poor loss to Goodna and Districts Eagles in Round 2, the Bluebirds have recorded three big wins and a draw to keep pace with the leaders.
The Eagles and Brothers Ipswich have set the bar by every measure so far this season and Brothers will be favourites to keep their unbeaten run alive this weekend, but the Bluebirds have been the best of the chasing pack so far and look like the team most likely to mount a challenge against the brilliant Brothers.
Their attack has been strong, averaging 26 points a game, with Ratunaisa Vatuinaruku leading the charge with five tries already this season.
Defensively they have been solid, but well behind the standard set by Brothers who have remarkably conceded just seven points a game this season.
Points will be difficult to come by for the Bluebirds, so they will need to muscle up and produce their best defensive effort of the season if they want to secure the upset.
Elsewhere in Round 7 action, the Redbank Plains Bears host the Fassifern Bombers with the defending premiers approaching ‘must-win’ territory.
The Bombers are winless through the opening rounds and need to get some results soon if they are going to stay in touch with the finals race and keep their title defence alive.
Finally, the West End Bulldogs travel to Keith Sternberg Oval to take on the Northern Suburbs Ipswich Tigers.
Both teams have one win to their names this season and a win for either team could push them into fourth place if other results go their way.
Goodna & Districts Eagles have the bye.
Rugby League Ipswich A Grade Competition Round 7
Redbank Plains Bears v Fassifern Bombers - Saturday, April 27 at Redbank Plains Recreational Reserve, 6pm
Brothers Ipswich v Swifts Bluebirds - Sunday, April 28 at Blue Ribbon Motors Field, 3pm
Northern Suburbs Ipswich Tigers v West End Bulldogs - Sunday, April 28 at Keith Sternberg Oval, 3pm
Goodna and Districts Eagles - BYE
Ladder
| Pos | Team | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brothers Ipswich | 159 | 18 |
| 2 | Goodna & Districts Eagles | 165 | 16 |
| 3 | Swifts Bluebirds | 22 | 15 |
| 4 | Redbank Plains Bears | -48 | 12 |
| 5 | West End Bulldogs | -62 | 11 |
| 6 | Northern Suburbs Ipswich Tigers | -84 | 10 |
| 7 | Fassifern Bombers | -152 | 8 |
