Sapphire Series R7 live stream: Wildcats looking to upset defending champion Cougars (Sapphire Series & Ruby Series)

Another tight game, another defeat for the unfortunate Wildcats as the Cougars show their quality in the second half to haul in a deficit. Relive all the LIVE Sapphire and Ruby Series action here.

The Wildcats failed to sustain their momentum from a flying start as the Cougars found their groove in the second half to take a tight Sapphire Series round seven clash, 55-49.

The Wildcats dominated early and had kicked out to a 14-8 first-quarter lead before the Cougars closed the gap to just three at the break. The second quarter was tighter, with the Wildcats maintaining an advantage, even though it was just one goal - 27-26.

It wasn’t long into the third quarter before the Cougars took control and they had built a six-goal lead themselves - 40-34 - at three-quarter time.

It proved to be decisive as the honours were shared at 15-15 in the final quarter.

The Wildcats’ wait for win number two of the season goes on.

REPLAY: Ruby Series: ACU Cougars v Brisbane South Wildcats

Cougars assert their superiority in an impressive final quarter to see The Cougars Ruby Series side just keeps on rolling.

It’s six wins from seven games now after their 60-44 victory over the Wildcats.

They don’t do it with blowouts - Sunday’s 16-goal success is, in fact, their equal biggest margin of victory all season, but they just know how to win.

PREVIEW

They may be at opposite ends of the table, but don’t let their positions fool you. This HART Sapphire Series round seven clash is shaping up as a real thriller, with a classic mid-court match-up thrown in.

Fresh off the bye, the defending champions, ACU Brisbane North Cougars, take on Brisbane South Wildcats. The Wildcats may have only won once but four of their five defeats have been less than 12 goals.

You can watch every moment of the Ruby and Sapphire Series games LIVE from midday on Sunday afternoon on KommunityTV. See the schedule below.

The Wildcats will be looking to find some form.

“We‘ve been showing progressive, ongoing improvement throughout the season,” said Wildcats’ Sapphire head coach Megan Lynch.

Lynch is optimistic about the earlier game time, as well as the fact it will be a new venue as both games will take place at South Pine Sports Complex.

“Location wise half of my team lives on the north side so they’re all excited about driving up the road,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cougars’ less-than-ideal start to the season has made them hungry to get back on track.

The side previously had not dropped a game since 2021, but have suffered two losses so far this year.

With the halfway mark of the season nearing, pressure is on for the side to regain control.

It’s been a tougher than expected start to the season for Brisbane North Cougars.

MATCH-UP and PLAYERS TO WATCH

Losa Niumata (Cougars) v Tahlia Evans (Wildcats)

Through the midcourt, this match-up is set to be a spectacle.

Seventeen-year-old Evans is walking the same path Niumata did at her age, making Queensland teams and performing well under the pressure of state and national championships.

Most recently, Evans narrowly missed out on selection into the Queensland 16-19 years schoolgirls side after making the ‘possibles and probables’ trials.

The young star continues to put on a consistent show at Sapphire level against the state’s best, thanks to the mentoring from teammate Maddie Davies

“I‘m looking to see Maddie Davies continue to shine with Tahlia Evans,” Lynch said.

Rising Wildcats star Tahlia Evans.

“Tahlia is still young, so Maddie has been really good to help mentor and grow her.

“Especially in that centre role because Tahlia is quite new to it … she‘s only really been getting into that centre in the last sort of six to 12 months.”

Lynch has noticed the progress made by her young star and is eager to see what she can bring against a player with such a high-level of experience.

“Her game is still evolving, but there‘s been such a large improvement there so I’m really excited to see how they go.

“I think Tahlia has got the better of Losa as far as speed and agility goes, but Losa has the smarts, so I think it will be a really good battle … they bring different qualities to the game.”

Niumata made her return to the game after a break in 2021 to be named captain of the 2023 Queensland U19 team.

INJURIES

Wildcats’ Coco Smith will take the court despite nursing a broken left pinky finger.

The shooter played with her injury in their round six clash against the Bond University Bullsharks, before seeking treatment this week.

“She didn’t have her best shooting game last week, but now we know why,” Lynch said.

“The physio strapped it up last night and she felt really comfortable.

The injury is not expected to impact Smith’s performance this week.