WINNING the next three games will have Wingham well placed to make a charge at the Group Three Rugby League minor premiership.
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Coach Mick Sullivan said this as the Tigers prepare to host second placed Wauchope on Saturday.
"We have a big block of three games coming up. if we can get three wins there that'll place us in good stead looking towards the semi-finals,'' he said.
The Tigers sit in third place on 12 points, one behind Wauchope with Macleay leading the way on 14.
After Wauchope Wingham heads to Port Macquarie to play the fourth placed Port City Breakers (eight points) before meeting Macleay at Wingham on Saturday June 29 in a game that potentially will have a huge bearing on the minor premiership.
We have a big block of three games coming up. if we can get three wins there that'll place us in good stead looking towards the semi-final
- Mick Sullivan
The Tigers have a fairly good run into the playoffs from there, with games against Taree City (away), Old Bar (home) before finishing against Port Macquarie at Port.
Wauchope beat Wingham by a point in the first round after a late field goal by five-eighth Nick McCabe and Sullivan said the Tigers are keen to atone for that effort.
"You don't want to lose twice in the one season to any team,'' he said.
After the game against the Blues Wingham had a 0/2 record. They haven't lost a match since.
Sullivan admits he enjoyed a football-free weekend last weekend with the general bye in Group Three.
"There's another bye in a couple of weeks - I'll take them,'' he laughed.
Wingham will be close to full strength for Saturday, with Tim Watson available and returning to the back row. Nick Beacham moves up front to allow Watson into the pack, with Blake Fraser switching to the bench.
Sullivan expects second rower Kynan Budd and utility backs Trent Green and Nathan Maher to be back soon as he looks to finalise the squad for the big matches ahead.
Wingham's last start was a 66-8 demolition of Forster-Tuncurry, but despite the scoreline Sullivan wasn't over-impressed with the performance, particularly in the first half.
The Tigers struggled at times in the first stanza and only led by 10 points at the break. However, the second half became a landslide against a Forster side minus a number of regular first graders.
"Again, we've getting sides when they're under-strength,'' Sullivan said.
"That's been our good luck - and that can soon change - so we'll take it.''
However, he expects the Blues to be a 'big test' for the Tigers.
"Wauchope's been in the top three all season so that obviously shows what they are capable of,'' he said.
Tigers ready to party like it's 1989
CURRENT Wingham coach Mick Sullivan was still a schoolboy when he watched the Tigers score a breakthrough win in the 1989 Group Three Rugby League grand final against Port Macquarie.
"I can still remember that game,'' he said.
"It was back when football was the be-all-and-end-all at Wingham.''
On Saturday Sullivan hopes the current generation of Tigers can put on a show for the 1989 vintage in the clash against Wauchope at Wingham. This will be the 30th anniversary reunion of the victory. The majority of players from the 89 team are expected to be there - with centre Laurie Cunningham the only expected absentee. The 1989 reserve grade side - beaten in a grand final cliffhanger by Port Macquarie, will also attend.
"That should provide us with a bit more motivation,'' Sullivan said.
"I'm really looking forward to see some of the guys - Norrie (Trevor Murray, a prop in the first grade side), coached me a few years later. It be a big day.''
The 1989 success was Wingham's first since 1962, with the Tigers losing grand finals in 1963/64/66/72/76/81/82 and 86. Kim Patrick was the captain-coach and he will attend this weekend. A lock, Patrick produced a brilliant performance to inspire the Tigers to a comfortable victory against the Sharks.
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