By Tim Mosey

Saturday marks the start of the second round of the 2018 QLD Premier Rugby competition and if this weekend’s four matches are anything to go by, we’ve got a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

Easts vs UQ (David Wilson Field, 3:20pm)

On paper this is the clash of the round.

Easts have been in scintillating form so far this year. They stumbled last week against GPS though they’ve looked the goods otherwise.

Easts have been served well in both attack and defense by their unassuming backline, and their forward’s work at the ruck has been menacing.

UQ have been typically classy throughout the first nine rounds.

They dive into the second half of the season in a commanding position on the table and the prospect of a returning throng of warriors from Reds duty come finals time.

In round one Easts were beaten by two points off  the boot of UQ flyhalf James Dalgleish.

But a boisterous crowd in the can bar under the stand at the well-known Bottomley Park will ensure UQ are in for a tough afternoon at the office.

I feel an upset is on the cards.

Easts by 5.

GPS vs Brothers (Yoku Rd, 3:20pm)

Old Boys’ Day is a day every first grader looks forward to.

It means there is a sizeable crowd on offer and the perfect opportunity to perform at home.

There will be a lot of support at Yoku Rd on Saturday from the likes of the Herberts, McVerrys, Atkinsons and Constables of the club

GPS looked ominous last week against a very good Easts outfit at David Wilson Field.

They’ve had minimal injury disruption particularly to their backline, fielding similar starting lineups for the past month.

Brothers will be excited and looking forward to bouncing back from their loss to Wests last week.

The Brothers club is performing exceptionally well across all grades and will be looking to their first grade side to cause an upset at Yoku Rd on Saturday.

I can’t see it happening though and I think The Gallopers will enjoy an afternoon of running rugby in the setting sun under the foothills of Mt Cootha.

GPS by 12.

Wests vs Bond University (Sylvan Rd, 3:20pm)

This is an intriguing match with both sides coming off wins last week.

Each side will be looking to string back to back wins together for the first time this year and will need a victory to stay within a bull’s roar of the top four.

Bond were far too good for Norths last week and will take plenty of confidence up the M1.

Wests will want to do one thing – get the seed to Filipo Daugunu. It would be fair to say that Daugunu and his partner in crime of 2017 Ed Fidow were the sensations of last year’s competition.

They were certainly pivotal in the Doggies late plunge into finals footy, something Daugunu would like to replicate this year.

I think this tight tussle will go the way of Wests though – only due to home ground advantage.

Dogs by 6 (as with Atko and GPS I will never tip against the Dogs – woof woof).

Norths vs Sunnybank (Shaw Rd, 3:20pm)

The battle at Shaw Rd on Saturday is guaranteed to be colossal.

Both sides have big packs.

Both sides have outside backs that can light up a gloomy winter’s afternoon.

I feel the Dragons will have too much firepower both up front and out back.

The longer Norths can restrict Sunnybank’s expansive approach the better chance they will have to knock them off.

Bankers by 11.

Catch all games live streamed at redsrugby.com.au

Photo: QRU Media – Brendan Hertel