Women in League Round preview: Gela-Mosby hits 50

Hostplus Cup Round 18

PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks

Head-to-head: PNG Hunters 7, Townsville Blackhawks 5
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #PNGvTSVB
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• When these two teams last met in Round 8, it was the PNG Hunters who put on a show, defeating the Townsville Blackhawks 42-20
• However, Townsville had won the previous three games between these two sides and will be looking to bounce back this weekend
• In recent weeks, Townsville have recorded two losses and a draw in their past three games and are now out of the top eight
• The Hunters have lost four of their past four games at their Runaway Bay home base and will be aiming to break that streak against Townsville. However, the visitors won the previous game between these two sides at Bycroft Oval last year and will be heading to the Gold Coast with confidence, despite having lost their past three away games
• In the competition, the Hunters require eight points to bring up 4000 in the Cup. They have 4062 scored against them
• For this match, the Hunters will be without Rodrick Tai who was banned for two matches following an early guilty plea to a dangerous contact charge

Brisbane Tigers v Sunshine Coast Falcons

Head-to-head: Tigers 13, Sunshine Coast 10, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #TIGESvFALCONS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• The two Melbourne Storm feeder clubs go head-to-head in what is always a fun rivalry with plenty on the line for the players
• In their last meeting in Round 8, it was the Sunshine Coast Falcons who shone, defeating Brisbane Tigers 22-14
• The Falcons have good form against the Tigers and have won the past four games between these two sides
• The visitors have also won two of the past three games between these two sides at Totally Workwear Stadium
• However, the Tigers are hitting their straps and have won their past two and five of their past six, home games (including at Villanova College)
• As a mark of respect to former Tigers player Michael Purcell, who passed away earlier this week, this weekend the club have retired the No.1 jersey with fullback Tony Pellow to wear No.18

Ipswich Jets v Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Head-to-head: Wynnum Manly 26, Ipswich 19, drawn 3
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #JETSvWYN
Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

• It was a resounding 56-0 victory to Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round 8 when these two teams first met this year, but since then, the Ipswich Jets have found some form, recording three wins
• However, despite them being close, Ipswich have lost their past two games and will be keen to finally secure a home win for their fans
• Overall, the Jets have lost seven of their past eight home games
• Despite having lost their past two away games, the visiting Seagulls will arrive at North Ipswich Reserve full of confidence having won the past four games between these two sides
• Wynnum Manly coach Adam Brideson is trying to avoid his 50th loss in his 111th game which will see him overtake Paul Bramley to 16th in all-time games coached. During his Cup career, Brideson has recorded 61 wins
• Match official #52 Tim Rutherford will be in the middle for his final game in the Hostplus Cup this weekend in what will be his 161st game. The QRL congratulate Rutherford on his stellar career in the statewide competitions

Northern Pride v Tweed Seagulls

Head-to-head: Tweed 15, Pride 12, drawn 2
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #PRIDEvTWEED
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• This match between Northern Pride and Tweed Seagulls has plenty riding on the result with both sides sitting on 19 points to be tucked just inside the top eight
• When the sides last met in Round 8, Tweed were far too strong in the 28-0 win, but since then the Pride have won their past three games and have moved into the top 8 for the first time since Round 3
• They have interestingly won their past four games in the tropics (including their recent matches in Innisfail and on Thursday Island)
• Tweed are also in good form ahead of this match and have a win and a draw  - against the out-and-out competition leaders Burleigh Bears - in their past two games 
• The Seagulls have won six and drawn two of the past eight games between these two sides, including two wins a draw in Cairns. However, they have lost their last two away games
• Pride's last win over Tweed was in 2017, so the home side will be keen to break that hoodoo this weekend
• While Pride are in the top eight currently, they are 12th in attack (18.9 points per game), but 3rd in defence (18.8 points per game)
• This is set to be the 50th Cup game for Pride back Gideon Gela-Mosby

Mackay Cutters v Burleigh Bears

Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 14, Mackay Cutters 8, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #CUTTERSvBEARS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• The Bears are way out in front on the Hostplus Cup ladder, but last week were held to a draw by Tweed Seagulls and would be keen to win again when they travel to Mackay to take on the Cutters
• The last time the two side met in Round 8, the Bears posted a 28-8 victory
• In recent weeks, the Bears have two wins and a draw in their past three games and last weekend, they became the first Cup side to record 20 draws
• Overall, the Bears have won the past seven, and 10 of the past 11, games between these two sides, including the past two in Mackay
• In fact, Mackay's last win over Burleigh was in 2015
• Adding another statistic for the home side to overcome, the Cutters have also lost three of their past four home games

Central Queensland Capras v Norths Devils

Head-to-head: Norths Devils 36, Central Queensland 10, drawn 2
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #CAPRASvDEVILS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv, 9Now, Kayo Freebies and Hostplus Cup Facebook 

• Norths Devils have a huge head-to-head advantage against Central Queensland Capras overall and have also won the past 18 games between these two sides, including the past eight played at Browne Park
• The last time these two sides met in Round 8, it was a close match, but it was still a Norths victory, with the Devils coming out on top 17-12
• In fact, the Capras last recorded a win against the Devils way back in 2011
• This season however, the Capras have been one of the teams setting the early pace in the competition and the side will be keen to snap their losing streak in front of the home fans
• So far, the Capras have won two of their past three home games and will be hoping to return to their winning ways after dropping their match against the Cutters last weekend
• In team news, Norths named experienced NRL trio Ryan James, Tyrone Roberts and Tyson Gamble in their "team list Tuesday" squad

Souths Logan Magpies v Redcliffe Dolphins

Head-to-head: Redcliffe 34, Souths Logan 13, drawn 1
Hashtags: #HostplusCup #MAGPIESvPHINS
Broadcast: Qplus.tv

• The Redcliffe Dolphins posted a big 32-0 win over Souths Logan Magpies in Round 8 in what - at the time - was only their second victory of the season
• Since then, the peninsular powerhouse have hit a rich run of form to surge up into fourth place on the competition ladder
• Unfortunately for Magpies fans, the results haven't gotten much better for their team despite their efforts, with the side now having lost their past 11 games
• The Dolphins however now have eight wins and two draws in their past 10 games - but they have never gone 11 games without a loss in their Cup history
• In a boost for the home side's confidence, the Magpies won the last game between these two sides played at Davies Park last year, setting up the opportunity for an upset win, despite the fact the team have so far recorded seven losses and a draw in their past eight home games
• In their current victorious run, the Dolphins have posted three wins and a draw in their past four away games
• It will be a big day of rugby league at Davies Park on Sunday, with a Queensland Universities selection facing off against the Queensland Firefighters team

QRL Match Review charges results Round 17 - Week 2 Hostplus Cup

You can watch all Hostplus Cup games via QPlus.tv.