Lion Red Fox Memorial Preview

The Auckland Rugby League Lion Red Fox Memorial competition is rapidly approaching the sharp end of the season, with five rounds left before the Top Five play-offs commence. A hazy Top Five is beginning to take shape, but with ten points still up for grabs, anything can (and probably will) happen.

The Papakura Sea Eagles continue to make ground on the Mt Albert Lions and now reside just two points behind them, after the Lions loss to them last week. The Sea Eagles would appear to have a fairly easy task tomorrow, when they take on the Marist Saints at Halberg Park. Second against second last and Papakura should really walk this in.

The Mt Albert Lions, on the other hand, have something of a tough one at home at Fowlds Park, against the Mangere East Hawkes. Another Roope Rooster challenge just to add a little more interest. If the Hawkes are going to have a serious tilt at the Rukutai Shield (Minor Premiers) then they would probably need to win this tomorrow as the run home for them doesn?t look easy. I?ll take the Lions by a couple, but they do seem a little jaded.

Birkenhead Domain, tomorrow, serves up what should be a fascinating match between the Tigers and the Te Atatu Roosters. There is only one point between these two teams and Te Atatu seem to grow another leg when they play the Tigers. Fourth and fifth spot respectively but I?m not convinced that either side are actually the goods. This one could probably go close to a draw but perhaps the experience of Rooster Coach, Del Hughes, over young and keen Tigers Coach, Frank Harold, may just provide the difference.

East Coast Bays slipped down to last spot following last weekend?s narrow loss to the Hawkes. Coach Warrick Anderson will not be happy and you can bet good money that the Barracudas will be well prepared for their game against the Otahuhu Leopards at Freyberg Park tomorrow. The Leopards will be on a high after their resounding victory over the Tigers last week but I suspect they will be heading earthwards tomorrow. A narrow one to the Bays.

All games commence at 2.30pm.