Fourth there for the taking

GONE WITHOUT: University will be without flyhalf Raymond Austin (pictured) for the rest of the season, but Daniel Hooper is expected to be an adequate replacement.

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THE last time University met Dawson Drovers they were “firmly beaten”, but Rovers coach Lachlan McMurtrie believes his side can change it this time around.

University is hoping to secure fourth-place and a win against Drovers will help it extend the gap to fifth-placed Frenchville.

“It should be much closer. I expect we’ll put it to them,” McMurtrie said.

“We want to secure fourth. We’re going to focus on winning the games in front of us. We’re not just going out there for a bonus point.”

University will be without regular flyhalf Raymond Austin, who will be overseas for the rest of the season, but McMurtrie was confident that his replacement, Daniel Hooper, will be up for the job.

Frenchville will be hoping to stay in touch with University when they take on Brothers at home.

Frenchville coach Ron Howell said they would be missing a few players, and would be approaching the match like a final.

“We’ve had Drovers and Colts the past couple of weeks and we’ve done well without beating them,” he said. “We just need to get ahead on the scoreboard.”

Howell said his side’s backline had improved and hoped the gap between themselves and other sides was “getting smaller and smaller”.

“We’re hoping to see our improvement continue against Brothers,” he said.

Competition leaders Colts are unhappy that Gladstone has forfeited today’s match in Rockhampton.

Coach Frank Busby said the focus for their sponsor’s day will now turn to their “must win” reserves match.

Colts reserves take on Cap Coast, which sits four points above them on the ladder, and need to win if they are to slip into a finals spot.

Today’s fixtures will be big occasions for all clubs who will be hosting events for all fans.

Colts will be hosting a sponsors day at home, Frenchville will have its ‘ladies day’ with money raised for breast cancer awareness and University will be having a pig -on-the-spit at its home ground.

Fixtures

Frenchville Reserve v Brothers Reserve (Ryan Park) 3:00 pm

Frenchville A v Brothers A (Ryan Park) 4:30 pm

Mt Morgan v Biloela (Mt Morgan) 3:00 pm

University Reserve v Blackwater (University) 1:00 pm

Dawson Reserve v Boars (University) 2:30 pm

Dawson A v University A (University) 4:00 pm

Colts Reserve v Cap Coast (Colts) 2:00 pm

Colts A v Gladstone A (Colts) 3:30 pm