Bluebirds hatching plan to surprise Bombers

RUGBY League Ipswich semi-finals kick off this weekend with six clubs represented over the three senior grades.

A Swifts A-Grade player tries to break the Fassifern tackler's grip during a recent game. Picture: Rob Williams

RUGBY League Ipswich semi-finals kick off this weekend with six clubs represented over the three senior grades.

Brothers and Norths will have three teams playing while Swifts and Fassifern will both have two sides involved.

West End and Goodna both will be represented by their under 19 teams.

The red-hot Bombers will go into their game against the Bluebirds at short odds to be the first team into this year's grand final.

However, I wouldn't be writing the Bluebirds off.

Coach Damian O'Donohue must devise a game plan to stop the Bombers forwards from laying a platform for their backs to run riot out wide.

The Sunday game features the Bretheren taking on the Tigers with the loser to start their Mad Monday celebrations early.

Although Brothers will start favourites, the Tigers will be hoping for a repeat of the last time their met when Norths completely outplayed them.

Indoor thrillers

MAJOR League grand finals for indoor cricket were held last weekend at Caboolture with the Ipswich centre qualifying in four grades.

The Men's B side were the first to take the court but unfortunately lost 67-53 to Strathpine.

The Masters A and Over-45 Men were next, winning one of their two games.

The Masters A defeated Wynnum by 91-79, mainly because of the last over of the game by Matt Carkeet.

Carkeet claimed two wickets for minus five, to give his side a stunning win.

The over-45 side faced the undefeated Wynnum team and pushed them all the way before succumbing 94-88.

The last batting pair of Robbie Cockerill and Brad Walsh scored 29 runs to nearly take them to victory.

The Ipswich centre has one last chance for grand final glory with the Men's D playing.

This would be the game of the night with nothing separating the teams with scores tied 72-72.

After a mini game, Ipswich prevailed 30-22.

Captain/coach Reuben Petzler was outstanding, receiving man-of-the-match honours.

Quick thoughts

HERO of the week: Ipswich Jets legend Wes Conlon left the North Ipswich Reserve for the last time with four tries. Wes is everything that young footballers should aspire to be.

Villain of the week 1: Will Chambers for his disgraceful Crusher tackle. One day someone is going to get seriously hurt by one of these tackles. He should count himself lucky that he will only serve three weeks.

Villain of the week 2: Andrew Fifita. One thing you should know by now is not to disrespect your coach in public. Your reaction after scoring was plain not needed. If I was Shane Flanagan, he would be having a rest this week.

Did you know? Tennis great Ken Rosewall didn't have to join the Army in 1953 because he had a skin condition that made it impossible to wear regulation Army boots.

Bomber's best: Unfortunately my run came to an end with the Lightning defeating the Giants in the Super Netball semi-final.

This week, take the Tigers and Warriors to win.