Seasons could be defined in Women’s matches

The Women’s fixtures see a top of the table clash and a match that will have a huge bearing on the last spot in the race for the Finals.

Port Macquarie Magpies and Coffs Harbour Breakers have been involved in an epic race for top spot on the ladder all season. The two teams have played three times already this season with the ledger standing at two wins to one in favour of the Breakers.

The Coffs team holds down top spot by just two points so a win to Port Macquarie would see them leapfrog their opponents again. With university exams behind them the Magpies can expect to be close to full strength, a luxury that hasn’t been afforded them in their last few matches.

Breakers are in the midst of a breakout season, going from a team that won only once last season to a genuine contender this year. Their focus during the break will have been solely on this match, knowing that it will be the biggest and toughest encounter in the team’s short history.

Despite Port and the Breakers being a top of the table clash, the match between Northern Beaches/Grafton and Sawtell Toormina Saints is just about the match of the round.

Northern Beaches/Grafton can force their way into third place and play Finals footy in their first year, but they must beat Sawtell to give themselves a realistic chance. Having claimed their maiden win against the Saints the Blue Tigers will know that this is a realistic prospect and will be desperate to hit the ground running.

The break will have done the Saints the world of good as it bought injured players time to recuperate. The reigning premiers will welcome back some long term absentees whilst others that have been playing wounded will be close to full fitness. At full strength the Saints can be a dangerous proposition come Finals time but they can’t afford to look beyond this match where a win will all but seal third spot.

These two teams have developed a very healthy rivalry in a short space of time and the action will be fierce from the first bounce.

Round 12 fixtures – Saturday 27 July

Port Macquarie Magpies v Coffs Harbour Breakers at Wayne Richards Park (Under 17 at 10:00am, Women at 11:50am, Reserves at 1:20pm, Seniors at 2:50pm)

Grafton Tigers / Northern Beaches Blues v Sawtell Toormina Saints at Ellem Oval, Grafton (Under 17 at 11:00am, Women at 12:50pm, Reserves at 2:20pm, Seniors at 3:50pm)

For full fixture details, click here.