Ipswich's Pride and Force on show in state league successes

Hard-working Ipswich representative teams are up with the best in the state, proving again what a terrific sporting nursery the city has.

The Ipswich Force women have become a formidable combination in this year's Queensland Basketball League competition. Picture: Cordell Richardson

INSIDE EDGE

WITH finals in a range of sports looming large, it is a wonderful time of the year to be a fan.

Despite the chilly evenings, it is worth the effort to get out and cheer on your favourite team, especially those still in finals contention.

But it's not only some exciting Ipswich club competition battles coming up that will provide intrigue, entertainment and traditional end-of-season surprises.

Hard-working Ipswich representative teams are up with the best in the state, proving again what a terrific sporting nursery the city has and how attracting the right people can deliver results.

The Western Pride men and Ipswich Force women are leading the way in their respective Queensland competitions, both being in second place preparing for crucial weekend matches.

Western Pride goal scorer Alex Parsons is congratulated by his teammates after another football victory. Picture: Carl Groenewald

The Pride footballers have continued to impress after creating history by winning last year's National Premier Leagues state competition grand final.

With a handful of games left, Pride are well placed to challenge big guns like Lions, Olympic and Moreton Bay for the honour of being Queensland's leading club football side.

Pride's well-drilled, talent-rich combination can consolidate their top two spot by beating Cairns FC at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex on Saturday night.

The players would welcome plenty of support along with the regular encouragement they receive from a hearty group of fans in the so-named "Pit''. These guys are fans any club would love to have.

Before that important football encounter, the Force women head into Friday night's game against the Gold Coast also able to secure second spot.

Importantly, victory would give the Force team a boost preparing to host their first home final after years of trying in the Queensland Basketball League.

Ipswich Force basketballer Kane Bishop reaches for the basket in his QBL match against Toowoomba at Llewellyn Stadium. Picture: Megan Low

The Force men are looking to seal their spot in the QBL playoffs in the game that follows on Friday night at the Gold Coast.

In netball, the region's two premier teams were holding the top two spots in the Queensland Premier League South East Queensland Cup competition.

Going into tonight's latest matches, defending champions Goodna Sapphires are leading the way, just ahead of the Ipswich Flyers.

The Flyers have served the city well for a number of years, regularly making finals.

The Sapphires have continued their winning journey after joining the competition last year.

As the Pride, Force, Sapphires and Flyers teams work to consolidate their strong positions, it's up to the Ipswich Jets to complete a successful late charge and join them.

With the quality in this year's Intrust Super Cup rugby league side, the Jets deserve to be in the finals mix as well. The Jets can take another positive step forward by beating the Sunshine Coast Falcons at the North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday.

Having the Jets also make the state league finals would further enhance Ipswich's fine sporting reputation.

Originally published as Ipswich's Pride and Force on show in state league successes