The Bulls will be looking to win the Kristylea Bridge Cup from Wingham for the first time in three starts. However, Bridge pointed out that the game is probably the most important both sides have played this year in terms of their top five prospects. He is worried that emotion could cloud the issue.

“The players have to take the emotion out of this – they can let me worry about that,’’ Bridge said.

“If we win and Port City beat Macleay, we’re back in the hunt for second spot. But a loss could see us down to fifth, so we have to win this match, it’s as simple as that.’’

The Bulls will be at full strength. Any doubt about Todd Bridge’s availability ended when his wife, Teisha, gave birth to their first child – a daughter Aloka Kristylea – on Tuesday.

“Todd will be right now,’’ his father said.

Bridge will mark fellow playmaker Trent Green in a clash that could be pivotal to the end result.

Bridge confirmed that under 18 player Toby De Stefano will remain at five-eighth after his three try effort against Forster-Tuncurry last Sunday. This means Matt Everitt will start at nine, the position he spent most of last season when he was named the group player of the year. Bridge has no qualms about using De Stefano in first grade. He started at hooker in the first round clash against the Tigers where the Bulls finished with the competition points.

“Toby has a good head on his shoulders, I don’t have any worries about him at five-eighth,’’ Bridge said.

Bridge expects Wingham dangerman Kurt Lewis to start from the bench. However, he said the Bulls can’t afford to obsess about the former North Coast representative.

“Kurt’s unpredictable – he plays off the cuff football and doesn’t play to structures,’’ he said.

The Bulls had successive losses to Macleay Valley and Port City before thumping Forster-Tuncurry by a club record score last Sunday.

While earlier games tomorrow will have a slightly earlier starting time, the first grade will be underway from the usual kick off of 3.15.

The league tag game will be underway 15 minutes earlier than usual at 11.15 while under 18s kicking off at 12.20. Reserve grade starts at 1.35. The Bulls were also hoping to organise some junior league matches to start the day’s program, however, this hadn’t been confirmed at the time of going to press.

WINGHAM coach Jamie Moorehead predicts history will be repeated when the Tigers tackle Taree City in the Group Three Rugby League game at the Jack Neal Oval on Saturday.

The first grade teams will be playing for the Kristylea Bridge Cup – with Wingham the current holders. The Tigers have won all three cup matches, however, all three have been cliffhangers.

“There’s only been a try or so in it in the last three games,’’ Moorehead said.

“I think it’ll be the same this weekend.’’

The Tigers along with Port Macquarie are within a point of third placed Taree. Wingham goes into the game on the back of successive wins over Port Macquarie and Wauchope, bouncing back from their worst display of the year when losing to wooden spoon favourites Forster-Tuncurry.

Five-eighth Tahj Wood returns for the Tigers after being unavailable last week and Moorehead confirmed he will be in the squad somewhere. Wood is still eligible for under 18s but the Tigers are out of the running for a top five berth in the junior grade.

 At this stage Kurt Lewis will start from the bench, as was the case in his comeback match last Saturday against Wauchope.

“We’ll ease Kurt back in while he gets a bit of match practice,’’ Moorehead said.

Lewis was introduced into the game last Saturday just before halftime and was then given a 10 minute breather in the sin bin.

While the Tigers were 34-6 winners over the Blues last week, Moorehead said there’s plenty of room for improvement, especially with the ball control.

“We probably blew four tries because of sloppy handling,’’ he pointed out.

“That’s an area we’ll have to pick up on.’’

Moorehead pointed out the Tigers have two tough weeks, with the Bulls followed by Port Sharks next weekend at Port in a game deferred from the start of the season because of wet weather.

In other games this round second placed Macleay Valley will tackle unbeaten Port City at Verge Street Oval at Kempsey on Saturday. Port Macquarie will attempt to stay in the hunt for a top three berth at the expense of Wauchope on Sunday at Port Macquarie. Wauchope’s top five chances ended when beaten by Wingham.

DESPITE three consecutive losses Old Bar co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler is confident the Pirates can grab third place on the Group Three Rugby League ladder.

The Pirates have dropped to sixth place after going down to Port Macquarie, Macleay Valley and Port City. Old Bar is now six three points adrift of Port Macquarie and Wingham with four games remaining. Old Bar plays Forster-Tuncurry at Old Bar on Sunday.

Wheeler said there were extenuating circumstances behind last weekend’s loss to Port City.

“We had seven players out – including our entire forward pack,’’ he said.

However, he added the Pirates need to get back on track this Sunday against the Hawks.

“You can’t take Forster lightly – they have a plenty of good players,’' he said.

He added a loss to the struggling Hawks would just about spell the end for Old Bar’s playoff hopes.

Wheeler pointed out that the Pirates either play sides behind or around them in the games remaining.

“If we can win all our matches, we should be up around third, if we get a couple of other results go our way. Second’s probably beyond us now, but I’ll be happy with third,’’ he said.

The Pirates will have some of their top players back on Sunday with Sean Carr and Jacob Stevenson on duty.