Blues looking out for mates whilst also looking back

It will be a big day at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga on Saturday as the venue hosts it’s last home matches of the year. Not only will the Northern Beaches Blues be celebrating R U OK? Round amidst a sea of yellow, the club will also be holding a 40 year reunion to recognise the rich history of the Woolgoolga Blues.

Adding to the flavour of the day will be a Masters match which affords former Blues and players of all other clubs the chance to relive past glories on the field as a prelude to the off field celebrations where reminiscing will be the order of the day.

The Grafton Tigers Seniors’ year is over and the club will be hoping for positive signs that can become the launchpad for a more successful season in 2020. The Tigers come up against the Coffs Harbour Breakers who are the form team in the competition, on a six match winning streak, so the task doesn’t get any easier.

The Northern Beaches/Grafton Women’s team recent good form came to a shuddering halt last weekend which finished off their slim hopes of a Finals appearance in their maiden campaign. The Blue Tigers know that they’re a much better team than last week’s effort suggests and will be keen to redeem themselves against competition leaders Coffs Harbour Breakers. The Breakers Women are buoyant after last week’s win over second placed Port and won’t be in the mood to hand out any charity.

The Reserve Grade competition is the most even of all, with three teams jostling for ladder positions. Northern Beaches Blues suffered a surprise loss last week and will need to bounce back against the Breakers to maintain their title hopes. Breakers find themselves on top of the ladder after their two closest rivals fell to defeats last week and will look to maintain this advantage with another win.

In Under 17, the Grafton Tigers find themselves walking a tightrope in terms of qualifying for the Finals, needing to win an absolute minimum two of the three matches remaining. Coffs Breakers are second on the ladder by percentage only and are coming off a big win last week so the Tiger cubs have a tall order in front of them.

A preview of the round 13 fixtures at Richardson Park, Sawtell will appear online on Friday (2 August).

R U OK? Round (13) fixtures – Saturday 3 August

Grafton Tigers / Northern Beaches Blues v Coffs Harbour Breakers at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga (Under 17 at 9:00am, Masters at 10:50am, Reserves at 11:50am, Seniors at 1:20pm, Women at 3:30pm)

Sawtell Toormina Saints v Port Macquarie Magpies at Richardson Park, Sawtell (Under 17 at 10:00am, Women at 11:50am, Reserves at 1:20pm, Seniors at 2:50pm)