of teams having a crack and are performing well now. However, both The Sea Eagles and the Chooks may have something to say about that. Also, the Eels have been performing well in these lower divisions in the past, we can’t discount them. The Wolves from Wallsend also tend to favour the State Cups and always go well and don’t discount the locals, the Makos. Are you getting the feeling we really don’t know? Well Kiwi once won the Cup from nowhere so who’s to say a bolter can’t win here? Championship- Manly, Bowl- Easts, Plate- Dubbo or Taree. MIXED OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP/ BOWL/PLATE Well while the numbers are good it’s really is hard to go past perennial’s Easts and Murwillumbah in this division for the Championship. Port Macquarie’s Makos and the Knights might give it a shake, but they will need to take their game to a new level. As for the lower divisions this is where the real interest will lie. The Wolves we hear are preparing well and may fight it out with the Japan for the Bowl. We think in the Plate it could be between Appin, Westmead and the Falcons of Macksville. The Panthers could be the dark horse as they seem to try and set themselves for a shot at the mixed division each State Cup. We think the might Dragons from Doyalson could stand out here, although Young, Yamba and Maitland might all have a role to play. Championship- Roosters, Bowl- Japan, Plate- Westmead MENS 20 CHAMPIONSHIP/BOWL A field of 19 is lining up for this year’s Cup and it promises to be exciting touch with these youngsters care free attitude on the field. You know the types 5 flick passes and a four-man cut out to score when a pass to bloke next you would have got the same result. However, let’s be honest us old timers are all trying to emulate their flare and skill (with very poor results)! After some spying missions we think the Cup will be heading home with the Peninsula Piranha’s. The Dolphins might look to spoil the party, but we don’t think so. Nelson Bay have good pedigree, so the Neptune’s might be thereabouts as well. Beresfield will add interest. For the Bowl we like the look of the Dragons in taking the chocolates. Don’t be surprised to see either Macksville or Penrith spring an upset along the way! Championship- Piranhas Bowl- Dragons WOMEN’S 20 CHAMPIONSHIP/ BOWL 19 starters and the safest bet of the weekend will be Manly. Such a strong junior program in women’s and this will be proven come Sunday afternoon of the Cup. The only question mark is how they will perform now that some of their players have graduated to WPL?Thedangerswillbetheirneighboursin the Renegades and the Flames from Taree. Keep an eye out for the Hornets though, they have some talented players coming through, so they could be the smoky. The Bowl could see the Dolphins get home in a tight field where Ballina, Nelsons Bay, Port Macquarie and UNSW all have claims. Don’t be surprised to see a smoky in the fight via by the Grasshopers of Quirindi and Balmain Tigers. Championship- Sea Eagles Bowl- Ballina MEN’S SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP This might just be the most hotly contested division of the 2018 Cup. In a talented field Murwillumbah look the favourites, but they won’t have it all their own way. Wests and Wollongong both look to have legitimate claims if the line ups they want to take the field eventuate. Late mail suggests Baggio is out of Wollongong which will hurt as we personally don’t think they have the players to replace him. Had he played we think they would have got the choccys. The Dolphins, SeaEaglesandMakosallfancytheirchances in upsetting the favourites. Championship- Mavericks WOMEN’S SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP In a small field most are likely favouring the Sharks. However, our spies tell us that the Magpies have a young Seniors team that could line up in Opens?? Then the ladies from Dubbo will fancy their chances in this field as well. The Dolphins, Redbacks and the Knights are all capable of causing an upset or two in the rounds, but we are not sure they will be there when the whips are cracking Sunday. This is a difficult division to pick, but with many ex WPL players now in the Magpies and their young legs we favour them. Championship- Magpies Keeping In Touch 2018 | 23