In-form Bears face tough assignment
KIRWAN Bears will have to raise their game when they take on St Patrick’s College in Mackay on Tuesday, says coach Nathan Norford.
The Bears were too strong for Mackay State High School last week, winning 58-4.
Norford said St Patrick’s would provide a sterner test for his team and the players would have to work hard to achieve victory in the Aaron Payne Cup.
“They are a top-quality team,” he said.
“We will have to be at our best otherwise we will slip up.
“They were finalists in the Confraternity Shield, and they have a quality system in place.
“We know it won’t be easy.”
The Bears will be missing three of their star players in Mackay, but Norford said the absence of Elekana Suavai, Jeremiah Matautia and Vinjenzo Winterstein, gave the chance for others.
“Unfortunately, we will be missing the three boys who are playing for the Cowboys Young Guns against the Titans,” Norford said.
“They are three quality players and they are an integral part of the team, but their absence will give others the chance.
“It will also be an opportunity for others in the side to stand up and show just what they can do.
“We must make sure our physicality is at the highest level because this will be a big battle.”
Ignatius Park College will also be taking on Mareeba State High School on Tuesday.
A wounded Mareeba has declared they will not forfeit as they prepare to march to Innisfail’s Callendar Park to face a team rated among the best in Ignatius Park College’s history.
And despite Iggy Park’s status as a rugby league nursery and their success at the Confraternity Shield, Mareeba SHS won’t back down.
“We’ve got a couple of injuries, there was some stuff the weekend and a bit of illness, but we’re not going to forfeit,” said coach Clinton Cifuentes.
“We will do whatever we need to get a team on the park.”