Men’s Seniors Cup This is a tough division to pick. Murwillumbah will start deserved favourites, but we don’t think it might be as easy as many may think. The Magpies have assembled a decent line up with that old stager Sonda at the helm. Isn’t he older than us? The Sea Eagles are no pushovers and the Dolphins have put together a throwback to their open days. If you’re not on your game this weekend you might just miss out with any of the top teams being hard to toss. Cup- Magpies (in drop off boil over against the Mavs) Women’s Seniors Cup So, the question here is can anyone stop the Sharks from going back to back. We know the GM has a soft spot for his “old girls” and we think that they are the best bet of the weekend. Wallsend or the Doggies can spoil the party for the Shire girls, but both need to be on their game when the whips are cracking on Sunday and that there, might be the key. No disrespect for any of the ladies in this division, but like us, all we are getting another year older and that does play a part. One of the things we love about the Cup is the unpredictability that injuries and fatigue bring. It might just influence this division. Cup- Cronulla Men’s Masters Cup/Bowl This is another division which, while closer to our age, we are not sure about. The Magpies are stacked with stars, but we have all seen the effect of team of stars has on the Cup. Many have fallen when they should have got the cash. Will it happen to the Magpies? Well the Sharks will want to topple them, however we don’t think they have the team they had last year. Wallsend can make the semi’s but not much beyond that. The Roosters have the playing talent, but will injuries cruel them? Then there is the Panthers, a team that can trouble and topple the star studded Maggies. Cup- Magpies, Bowl- Ballina Women’s Masters Cup/Bowl Our lovely Senior ladies have a field of 11 in a division that since the new structure, has been ruled by the gals of the Northern Beaches. They have continued to really embrace it with 3 teams entered. The Wolves have 2 teams as well, so interest is growing it would appear. The Sea Eagles might be hard to hold out from having 2 teams in the finals. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see three teams in the semi’s. Who can stop them we hear you ask? The Dolphins could be that team, but we feel there is another. The Piranhas, might just be hunting the field. They have a strong line-up that might just end the reign of the Seas Eagles. We will be very interested to see how this one plays out. Cup- Peninsula, Bowl- Wallsend Men’s 50 Cup Finally, to our older statesman and champions of years gone by, who will once again be gracing the fields of Port. All the smart money seems to be flowing the way of the boys from Murwillumbah, however there are some who are suggesting that the boys from…… what is that silence I hear? Yes, everyone seems to be playing their cards close to the chest and we can’t get any info from anyone! St George and Peninsula might offer up some opposition, but we think it might be the Mavs to loose. Cup- Mavericks Men’s 55 Cup/Bowl Our mates who have done it all before are back for more. With 10 teams, it is a healthy division of 2 pools and the likely heavyweights look to be Manly, Cronulla, Peninsula, Wests and Newcastle. Fitness will play a big part in this division as will a good run without injuries. It’s a coin toss for us in this one, so we will go with the Knights to go back to back. Cup- Newcastle, Bowl- Lower Blue Mountains Senior Mixed Cup This is always a hard division to get a form line on and this year is no different, with no real guide as to who is playing well now. Balmain, Easts and Wallsend look to be the big guns. But like Game of Thrones there are threats from the north in the shape of the Mavs and local heroes, the Makos. It’s been a few years since we’ve tipped local to win so we think a Wayne Gleeson lead team can take this division. Cup- Port Macquarie 1 Masters Mixed Cup We’re not going to lie, we really have no idea here, so we are going to try and use logic. Murwillumbah always has strong teams, so they must be a chance. St George went well last year so there is no reason they can’t do it again. The Knights traditionally have strong teams and Peninsula has been emerging. We think we will go with the Mavs. Cup- Murwillumbah Good luck all. Keeping In Touch 2015 | 37 IMG002_NSWTouch_Dec17_v3_FILM_R.indd 37 28/11/17 4:22 pm