After a blockbuster day of rugby league last Saturday in the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup Magic Round, all six teams are lining up for important matches this weekend, headlined by last year’s grand finalists Collegians and Wests meeting for the first time this season.
Last year’s decider saw Collegians emerge victorious in a gripping grand final at WIN Stadium. However, the reigning premiers will be smarting after a loss to De La Salle in their last start.
The 28-14 defeat was the Devils first of the season, with their Shire-based opponents showing their off-season improvements as they came back from a 14-6 deficit at half-time.
In their first three matches, no team had come within eight points of the cup holders, with a game at home against their old rivals giving them a perfect chance to respond come Saturday.
Wests did come away with a 20-16 win last weekend over the Thirroul Butchers, but not without having to fight, as the Blue and White came back from 14-0 down to give the Devils a fright.
Wests are currently first on the competition ladder based on a superior for-and-against and aiming for another solid performance to maintain their unbeaten run after five rounds.
De La Salle, who are equal first with Wests, host Corrimal this weekend. The Cougars showed periods of promise in their match against Dapto last week but will need to improve if they are to test Luke Manahan’s men.
Watch Vodcast>>The Grandstanders | Episode 4
The match between Thirroul and Dapto is also shaping into an interesting contest, with both teams recording just one win this season. Dapto showed plenty of their attacking flair against Corrimal last round, while Thirroul was physical and fought to the end against Wests.
The Butchers also get a chance to play on their home track for only the second time this season, with their only other game at Gibson Park being played in torrid conditions in Round 2 against Corrimal.
The Lower Grades
The Harrigan Shield and First Division competitions are headlined this round by top-of-the-table clashes.
Berkeley will face Figtree on the Crushers home turf this week, while Wests’ undefeated reserve graders will take on second-placed Collies before the first-grade fixture at Collegians Sporting Complex.
IRL Women’s Wrap, brought to you by South32
The best-credentialled women’s club sides in the region over the past few years, Corrimal Cougars and Stingrays of Shellharbour meet this Sunday at Flinders Field in Round 5 of the Women’s Southern Corridor competition.
The Cougars have had a disrupted start to the season, with just one game under their belt, a 34-14 win over Warilla-Lake South in Round 2.
Meanwhile, Stingrays have posted three wins on the trot defeating Jamberoo, Mt Kembla, and Nowra-Bomaderry to sit at the head of the competition ladder.
Mt Kembla is away to Riverwood Legion.
Where They Stand>> Open Women’s Ladder
In U18s, Collegians host Cronulla-Caringbah while the Cougars meet Stingrays of Shellharbour. Both games will be played on Saturday.
Where They Stand>> U18’s Ladder
Words | Russ Haylock