By Lawrence Machado
Skipper Tim Robinson’s return from suspension will boost the Hills Bulls in this Sunday’s Ron Massey Cup away clash against the Mounties.
The Bulls were arguably the most impressive team in the first round, belting hosts Windsor Wolves 62-16, and had a bye last weekend, when all second round matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Robinson (pictured), 33, who played for the Sharks and Eagles during his NRL career, copped a one-match suspension during the trial games.
Coach Mick Withers said the hard-working forward, who started his junior career at Winston Hills Hawks, brings an extra edge to the side.
“We are happy to have Tim back because he is a leader and brings plenty of NRL experience to our game,” Withers said. “We are looking to build on that big win against the Wolves, which was better than expected. We have prepared well in the off season and the players executed all their plans against the Wolves. However, the Mounties are a strong team and are coming off a good win over (reigning premiers) Wenty Magpies, which is why we are glad Tim Robinson is back.”
Meanwhile, Windsor Wolves coach Chris Yates admitted the Bulls, “were too good, making us pay for our errors. We are not happy and we have a few areas to fix.”
The Wolves have been struggling to train this week due to the heavy rains which have left their ground looking more like a swimming pool.
Some areas in Windsor have been among the hardest hit by the heaviest rains in decades. The Wolves are due to play Glebe-Burwood Wolves, also known as the Glebe Dirty Reds, on Sunday afternoon at Wentworth Park, Glebe.
The Windsor players have been keeping fit at their local gyms because no on-field training is possible. Yates said they are keen to be competitive in the rest of their games, starting against the Dirty Reds, the losing finalists in the 2020 President’s Cup.
“We have asked the players to use their local gyms and we had to use wrestling mats at Zoo Fitness in Penrith for some much-needed team training,” Yates said.
On Saturday, March 27, the Wolves play Cronulla Caringbah in the Sydney Shield where Windsor junior Dan Sullivan has been a standout.
FIXTURES: Sunday, March 28: Ron Massey Cup: Bulls v Mounties at Aubrey Keech Reserve, Hinchinbrook, at 4pm; Windsor Wolves v Glebe-Burwood Wolves at Wentworth Park, Glebe, at 2pm.
SYDNEY SHIELD: Sunday: Bulls v Rams at Hammondville Oval, Moorebank, at 3pm.
SYDNEY SHIELD: Saturday, March 27: Windsor Wolves v Cronulla Caringbah at Cronulla High School at 3pm
