Wingham's bid to secure a top two berth

The Tigers will be at home to Port City Breakers on Saturday.

Wingham's unbeaten run came to an end last weekend when beaten by competition leaders Macksville, although the Tigers also played a draw in the opening round against Old Bar. A knee injury to five-eighth Harry Lewis added to Wingham's woes last weekend.

The top four teams will play in the semi-finals on Saturday September 19 when the minor premiers play the team finishing fourth while second meets third. Winners progress to the grand final.

Group Three Junior Rugby League had previously decided the grand finals of all international grades would be at Wingham on Sunday September 27.

"There's not much between most of the sides,'' Wingham coach Paul Lewis said.

"So finishing first or second isn't as big of an advantage as it usually is, because there's no second chance for the teams that are beaten.

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"But getting a grand final at home will be an incentive for us. We might even be able to get a few more spectators into the ground by then.''

Lewis said like all teams the Tigers are struggling to come to terms with quarter football. This was introduced this year as part of COVID-19 regulations.

"It's hard to get momentum because of the breaks,'' Lewis said.

"But it's just something we'll have to deal with - it's the same for all the teams.''

In other games on Saturday Forster-Tuncurry meets Old Bar, Wauchope plays Macleay Valley while Macksville has the bye.

Macksville, a Group Two club, is playing by invitation in Group Three this year.

The win over Wingham lifts Macksville to a one point lead over the Tigers on the ladder.

Macksville has 12, Wingham 11, Macleay Valley 10 and Old Bar 8.

Wauchope with 6 and Forster-Tuncurry on 5 would have to keep winning in a bid to claim a semi-final berth.

Port City, sitting last on 4 points, look out of contention.