8.35am, F14, Wallsend Wolves v Port Macquarie

10.20am, F16, Port Macquarie v Hills Hornets

3.35pm, F17, Easts Roosters v Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie squad: Daniel Robins, Cassie Flanagan, Sam Flanagan, Alia Lievore, Glen Littler, Laura Avery, Paddy Coelho, Adam Kelly, Kristin Jamieson, Kate Felstead, Anna Leary, James O'Brien, Laraine McLaughlin

**

ONE of the association’s best chances of success could fall on the shoulders of the senior mixed outfit.

The team is seeded three and only has two matches per day, starting with showdowns with the Wallsend Wolves and Forster Tuncurry at 9am and 1.40pm respectively.

“The players in this line-up are clicking well,” Veech said.

“They may be the surprise packet in the competition.”

Coached by New South Wales representative Paul Seward, the side is a combination of last year’s semi-final and quarter-final squads.

“Port Macquarie had two teams in the division in 2008, but only one will step onto the field this weekend,” Veech said.

Joining forces with Seward are Peter Gleeson, Tony Leahy, Jason New, Greg Gleeson, Julie Seward, Tracey Wilcox, Linda Bryan and Kobie Knight.

Senior mixed

Today –

9am, F18, Wallsend Wolves v Port Macquarie

1.40pm, F19, Port Macquarie v Forster Tuncurry

Tomorrow –

8.35am, F17, Taren Point v Port Macquarie

11.30am, F17, Port Macquarie v Northern Suburbs Bears

Port Macquarie v bye

Port Macquarie squad: Rebecca Faddy, Peter Gleeson, Kobie Knight, Louise Hopkins, Tony Leahy, Andy Pannifex, Greg Gleeson, Jason New, Julie Seward, Paul Seward, Tracey Wilcox, Karen Wilkinson, Linda Bryan

**

PORT Macquarie, Ballina, Toormina, Taree and Quirindi all come together in the men’s open B side this weekend.

It’s also that logistical “nightmare” which could hamper the team’s 2009 campaign, according to Veech.

“Getting enough of the guys, let alone all of them, at training is one drawback,” he explained.

“Also, they’re facing some gun sides.

“However, brothers Nick and Matt (Bale), from Port Macquarie, have played in the Junior State Cup, so they’ll have some idea of what to expect.

“Overall, it will be a great experience for the boys.”

Men’s open B

Today –

10.10am, F06, Port Macquarie v Peninsula Piranhas

1.05pm, F18, Wests Magpies v Port Macquarie

5.10pm, F18, Port Macquarie v Canterbury Bulldogs

Tomorrow –

9.45am, F14, Newcastle City v Port Macquarie

12.40pm, F05, Ballina Bull Sharks v Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie v bye

5.55pm, F12, Port Macquarie v Berkeley Vale Panthers

Port Macquarie squad: David Stone, Michael Kelly, Matthew Bale, Nick Bale, Adam Gordon, Martin Gordon, Warren Jarrett, Dave McGrady, Jake Wheeler, Jeremy Sampson, Mervyn Tighe

**

THE future of touch in Port Macquarie is in good hands with the women’s under 20s.

“Even though they’ll miss Australian representative Kelly Pepper, the girls will be competitive,” Veech said.

“A number of them play together in the local competition, as well as the Port City Breakers’ women’s league tag side, which won the Group 3 title this year.

“Buzz (coach Aaron Ison) is doing a good job with them.”

The likes of Simone Smith, Jasmine Wilbow, Kara Lewis, Kate Coleman and Courtney Gordon should cause plenty of headaches for opposition teams.

Women’s under 20s

Today –

10.45am, F04, Peninsula Piranhas v Port Macquarie

1.40pm, F03, Port Macquarie v Parramatta Eels

4.35pm, F06, Wallsend Wolves 1 v Port Macquarie

Tomorrow –

9.10am, F08, Port Macquarie v Berkeley Vale Panthers

12.05pm, F06, Port Macquarie v Easts Roosters

2.25pm, F04, Doyalson Devils v Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie v bye

Port Macquarie squad: Anna Bruce, Sallianne Buttsworth, Kate Coleman, Laura Coleman, Eliza Farthing, Courtney Gordon, Ashlee Howe, Kara Lewis, Brittany MacKay, Larissa Matheson, Cassie Schmidt, Simone Smith, Nyssa Turner, Jasmine Wilbow, Tegan Adkins

**

THE pride of the Port Macquarie Touch Association is the women’s over 40s.

In 2009, the side is gunning for its fourth crown.

“Most of these ‘girls’, since moving to this division, have won three gold, two silver and made the semi-finals at their last six starts,” Veech said.

“That’s a great effort in anyone’s language.

“They are definitely our best chance of winning another title.

“It’s a sensational team.

“And, the players are so tough in the big games.

“I believe they’re well-placed to do it all again.”

The Port Macquarie outfit eases into its State Cup with a bye and one fixture on the opening day, an encounter with the Campbelltown Ghosts this afternoon.

Women’s over 40s

Today –

Port Macquarie v bye

2.15pm, F17, Campbelltown Ghosts v Port Macquarie

Tomorrow –

10.55am, F16, Port Macquarie v Manly Sea Eagles

1.15pm, F16, Wallsend Wolves v Port Macquarie

4.10pm, F14, Port Macquarie v Penrith Panthers

Port Macquarie squad: Donna Anttilla, Louise Budnick, Michelle Carney, Kim Coe, Debbie Cohen, Tracey Cutler, Vicki Farthing, Tarnia Lockwood, Debbie Molony, Debbie Walsh, Lisa Wilkes, Cherie Green, Lorrae O'Brien, Leigh Carlton

**

PORT Macquarie will launch a two-prong assault on the men’s over 45 division this weekend.

And, ironically, both teams face off against each other this morning in the opening round.

While one side is predominantly Kempsey-based, the second boasts a strong Port Macquarie flavour.

The likes of Shane Mooney, Steve Hancock, Wayne Prince, Michael Taylor, Michael Cutting, Tony Cox and Stephen Hughes have etched their names in the local sport’s history books over the years.

Men’s over 45s

Today –

10.10am, F19, Port Macquarie 2 v Port Macquarie 1

1.40pm, F15, Port Macquarie 1 v Ballina Bull Sharks

5.10pm, F14, Taren Point v Port Macquarie 1

Tomorrow –

Port Macquarie 1 v bye

12.05pm, F10, Port Macquarie 1 v Wallsend Wolves

2.25pm, F16, Port Macquarie 1 v Manly Sea Eagles

5.20pm, F14, Narrabri v Port Macquarie 1

Port Macquarie 1 squad: Tony Cox, Dennis Green, Jon Bailey, Stephen Hughes, Steve Hancock, Brett Newby, Wayne Prince, Tony Thorne, Michael Taylor, Shane Mooney, Michael Cutting

Today –

10.10am, F19, Port Macquarie 2 v Port Macquarie 1

1.40pm, F17, Manly Sea Eagles v Port Macquarie 2

5.10pm, F15, Port Macquarie 2 v Narrabri

Tomorrow –

9.10am, F14, Wallsend Wolves v Port Macquarie 2

12.05pm, F09, Taren Point v Port Macquarie 2

Port Macquarie 2 v bye

5.20pm, F16, Port Macquarie 2 v Ballina Bull Sharks

Port Macquarie 2 squad: David Parkinson, Darren Partridge, John Ferris, Dan Bates, Warren Patterson, Darryl Hudson, Joe Notely, Paul Harwood, Allan Glass, Ray Mahoney, Robert Simpson, Warren Howe, Greg Saul, Steve McCudden, Mick Kelly

**

THE “old boys” of Port Macquarie could also cause an upset or two this weekend in the men’s over 50s.

“Seriously, they’ll do alright,” Veech said.

“They are genuine semi-final hopes.

“And, if you can reach that stage of the State Cup, anything can happen.

“The nucleus of the side has been together for years.

“Plus, if experience counts for something, they are well-stocked in that area.”

The names of Bell, Carey, Lewis, Prowse, Coleman, Wilson, O'Brien, O'Rourke, Ryan, Turner and Flanagan are synonymous with Port Macquarie touch.

Men’s over 50s

Today –

9.35am, F13, Taree v Port Macquarie

12.30pm, F17, Port Macquarie v Canterbury Bulldogs

3.25pm, F14, Manly Sea Eagles v Port Macquarie

Tomorrow –

8am, F06, Wallsend Wolves v Port Macquarie

10.55am, F13, Port Macquarie v Muswellbrook Mambas

4.10pm, F12, Port Macquarie v Campbelltown Ghosts

Port Macquarie squad: John Bell, Bram Carey, Neville Carey, Kerry Lewis, Michael Prowse, Bruce Coleman, Gerard O'Brien, Frank O'Rourke, Ian Wilson, Steve Ryan, Steve Turner, Rick Flanagan, Steve Owens

**

THE “ragtag” that is the Port Macquarie Invitational side, now named the Tiling All Stars, returns to the men’s open B division in 2009.

“After a start in the under 20s last season, we’re primed to dominate this year,” team manager Alex Vallentine said.

“We’re all about participation and having a bit of fun.

“Plus, it gives a number of guys the chance to come ‘home’ and experience an event like the State Cup.

“Joey (Cudmore), Andrew (Fox), Luke (Sprague), James (Kelly), Chris (Green) and myself, all local boys, are back to play alongside our mates who still live here.

“Throw in the ‘leaguies’ – Asher, Bright, Foot, McCabe, Comber, Cudmore, Blake and Champion – as well as the Thompsons (Rod and Mark), and we’ll trouble a few teams.

“A big thanks goes to Ben (Cudmore) and Luke for sponsoring the side.”

Tiling All Stars

Today –

10.45am, F14, Campbelltown Ghosts 1 v Port Macquarie Inv

1.05pm, F13, Port Macquarie Inv v Varsity

4pm, F14, Maitland Redbacks v Port Macquarie Inv

Tomorrow –

8am, F17, Port Macquarie Inv v Nelson Bay Neptunes

10.55am, F08, Port Macquarie Inv v Northern Suburbs Bears

1.15pm, F19, Hills Hornets v Port Macquarie Inv

Port Macquarie Inv v bye

Tiling All Stars: Rod Thompson, Alex Vallentine, Joel Asher, Michael Bright, Clinton Foot, Nick McCabe, Scott Comber, Ben Cudmore, James Kelly, Matt Blake, Luke Sprague, Andrew Fox, Mark Thompson, Joey Cudmore, Chris Green, Blake Champion