It's a big weekend in Toowoomba Rugby League as the table-topping Gatton take on third-placed Highfields and Wattles meet Goondiwindi in another top four battle.
Saturday, August 13
5pm: Toowoomba Brothers v Newtown Lions, Glenholme Park, Glenvale
It is Brothers' Old Boys day at Glenholme Park this weekend.
Brothers are showing some good form lately and should take the A grade win.
6.30pm: Toowoomba Valleys Roosters v Southern Suburbs Tigers, John McDonald Sports Complex
Plenty of history in Valleys v Souths clashes and this will be no different.
Both teams pretty well out of finals contention but always plenty to play for and this will be a excellent game.
Ben Cook plays against his old side and he will be wanting to win. Let’s not forget that Liam Capewell is coaching against his old side as well. Nothing would please him more than a victory.
Nothing to lose for both sides and a worthy match of the day.
Sunday, August 14
2.30pm: Wattles Warriors v Goondiwindi Boars, Platz Oval
Plenty at stake in this match.
Wattles need to win to stay in the top three whereas the Boars need to win to give them the chance to be in the top three. A loss means they lose their roll into the finals.
Two in-form sides on a Sunday afternoon. It does not get any better.
Gundy played so well last round with every player standing up. Chris Woodbridge returns to add to their thrust.
Meanwhile, Matt Duggan returns after a week off for the Warriors to strengthen their late season onslaught. Wattles have been wonderful this last period and they are building nicely for the finals.
You can say the same for the slick Goondiwindi outfit - players like the McGradys and Trae Bennetto are in form at the right time of the season. But it is players like Liam Close, Jed Kindt, Tom Davis and Micky Hazard that are standing up for the Boars.
Wattles have Kai Duggan, Jackson Green and Nick Van Der Poel all in form and throw in Austin Jennings and Michael Pearson and they are ready for any challenge.
Two weeks until finals and this game is a real measure of how they will go.
We are in for one hell of a contest and may the best team win.
2.30pm: Dalby Diehards v Pittsworth Danes, Dalby Leagues Club
It's an important game for Dalby who somehow have to bounce back from last week.
Pittsworth will be hurting from last week’s thrashing by Gatton. They have too much pride not to turn up in this match.
In reserve grade, both sides can still, mathematically, make the finals. So the interest in this game will be there.
It should be a good day of footy for these neighbours.
2.30pm: Warwick Cowboys v Oakey Bears, Father Ranger Oval
This game is there for the taking for Oakey.
They are showing plenty at the moment and will back themselves to win this match against the Cowboys.
They have been excellent against Highfields and Valleys in the last two weeks and with players out.
Warwick will be tough and especially on Ladies Day. They have plenty of pride in their jersey and will not let their guard down as they have observed the Bears' resurgence and won’t want to be the first “top” side to lose to Oakey’s newfound form.
The Cowboys put away Brothers (Oakey’s next opponents) last week after their season-ending performance against Dalby. It was great to see they played for their themselves and supporters.
2.30pm: Gatton Hawks v Highfields Eagles, Cahill Park Sports Complex, Gatton
This Battle of Birds is probably the most important match of the season for these clubs.
At stake is potentially the loss of top spot for the Hawks and the Eagles losing a top three chance.
Hawks are in form but it's hard to say the same for Highfields. They came from behind to beat Oakey and were put away against Wattles in Round 15.
Gatton are favourites in this match but not by much as Highfields were clinical in their last meeting, 20-10.
The battle of the forwards is the key.
The front rowers will bash each other but Hicks, Foueti and Brett versus Nolan, Keoller and Quinlan are the match turners. They are all in form and their battle is worth the entry fee alone.
