WINGHAM captain-coach Kurt Lewis will defy the pain of a back injury and lead the Tigers into Sunday’s top-of-the-table Group Three Rugby League clash against Port Macquarie at Port’s Regional Stadium.
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Lewis injured his back in the clash against Port City earlier this month. He sat out the following game against Taree City and started last Saturday’s match against Wauchope from the bench. He took the field midway through the first half and eventually scored the winning try.
Lewis confirmed the injury is still giving him some grief, but he hopes to see the 80 minutes out.
“As a coach these are the games you want to play,’’ he said
His Port Macquarie counterpart, hooker Joe Cudmore, is out for the season after undergoing knee reconstruction surgery. Lewis agreed this is a massive blow to the Sharks.
“No team wants to lose their captain-coach, especially at this time of of the year,’’ he said.
Lewis believes a win for the Tigers on Sunday will at least secure a top two place in the semi-finals and possibly the minor premiership.
“We could probably afford to lose one of the remaining games and still get first or second,’’ he said.
The Tigers have a tough fortnight with games against the two Port clubs. However the draw is favourable from there. Lewis has emphasised to his players the need for a strong finish to the season to secure a semi-final at Wingham.
“We don’t want to be playing semi-finals against the Port sides up there. We know how tough they are to beat,’’ he said.
Thomas Dooker will replace the suspended Tim Bridge in the centres in the centres on Sunday, while Blake Sky returns to the fullback spot after missing the come-from-behind win over Wauchope last weekend.
“Mick Richards could also be back, so we’ll just about have our full deck of players,’’ Lewis said.
Taree clubs meet
TAREE’S two former rugby league clubs will both hold mini reunions on Saturday August 6.
Taree Old Bar will meet at Taree Leagues and Sports Club while Taree United will gather at the Exchange Hotel. Both functions will start at noon and will be open to all past players, committee members and supporters.
Young Bulls get a chance
TAREE City first grade coach Gary Bridge will continue his policy of blooding players from under 18s in the weeks leading into the Group Three Rugby League semi-finals.
Bridge last week gave promising centre Callum Wesley a run in firsts and he responded by scoring a try and having a hand in another. Earlier this year Wesley played SG Ball (under 18s) for the Newcastle Knights.
Bridge is considering elevating under 18 utility player Toby De Stefano to the first grade bench. Another under 18, Shannon Mullay, has cemented a spot in the first grade centres with some strong displays.
“Not one of the kids I’ve bought up from the under 18s has let me down.’’
The Bulls have play Macleay, Forster-Tuncurry, Port City and Old Bar going into the semi-finals. Only Port City sits ahead of them on the ladder.
Bridge will check the fitness of fullback Aden Avery and winger Dean Mills before settling on his side. Both were injured in Taree’s 22-12 win over Port Macquarie.
Taree will have Jesse Clarke and Todd Northam back, so Bridge has a few options.
Bridge remains wary of the Mustangs, even though the Kempsey-based outfit has endured a tough month. A loss would almost certainly end Macleay’s top five hopes.
Pirates hoping to go back-to-back
OLD Bar will look to score back-to-back wins for the first time this season at the expense of top five aspirants Forster-Tuncurry on Saturday at Tuncurry.
The Pirates are out of playoff contention but coach Col Lucas has vowed his side will make a positive finish to the year.
Old Bar scored a solid 36-22 win over the struggling Macleay Mustangs last week and now have the Hawks in their sights. Old Bar won the last round encounter.
A win will also edge the Pirates away from the dreaded wooden spoon, although Lucas said that hasn’t been discussed.
“Everyone was at training this week apart from the players working away. The morale’s good,’’ Lucas said.
Forster moved into the top five following three consecutive wins, all at their Tuncurry base. However, the Hawks were thrashed by 60 points in last week’s clash against third placed Port City.
Port City has lost representative front rower Mitch Fowler with a broken hand for the game against Wauchope at Wauchope on Saturday.
Fowler has already missed a sizable chunk of the year with injury. The Breakers will be looking to consolidate third place with a win over the Blues.