Women take centre stage in round 14

The focus of round 14 will be on the Women’s competition which offers up two intriguing clashes.

Fresh from wrapping up the Minor Premiership, Coffs Harbour Breakers host Sawtell Toormina Saints in what has quickly become a fiercely contested derby.

The Breakers are riding high and are on a seven match winning streak. In four previous clashes between these two sides, the Breakers have won the past three to currently have the wood on their nearest rivals.

Sawtell’s win last week over Port Macquarie was their first victory against a top two side since they beat Breakers back in round two and they will have taken heart from that result, knowing that they can have an impact in the Finals. A further win this week would really put the other teams on notice.

In Port Macquarie, the Magpies find themselves in the unfamiliar position of having lost two on the bounce and will be wanting to steady the ship with Finals just over a fortnight away. They play host to a Northern Beaches/Tigers side that has lost momentum since the break having shown prior that they can match it with any side.

The Blue Tigers will want to finish the season strongly to set themselves up for a serious tilt next season but will have to overcome the inevitable challenge that travelling poses to player availability. If they can get a full team to travel south they can pose a real threat to the Magpies already dented confidence, but if troops are thin on the ground they could well play Port back into form.

A preview of the round 14 fixtures in the Senior Men’s competition will appear online on Friday (9 August).

Round 14 fixtures – Saturday 10 August

Coffs Harbour Breakers v Sawtell Toormina Saints at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour (Under 17 at 10:00am, Women at 11:50am, Reserves at 1:20pm, Seniors at 2:50pm)

Port Macquarie Magpies v Grafton Tigers / Northern Beaches Blues at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie (Under 17 at 10:00am, Women at 11:50am, Reserves at 1:20pm, Seniors at 2:50pm)