The NSW State Cup has started as a heated affair with teams battling it out in hazy conditions for a place in the finals.
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The NSW Touch Football event kicked off at The Regional Sporting Complex and Tuffins Lane Fields in Port Macquarie on December 6.
The Port Macquarie Makos Mixed Seniors side led the charge with wins against Manly Sea Eagles (5,2), Newcastle City Knights (4,3) and Easts Roosters (6,2).
They continued their hot streak after defeating Bankstown Sports in round four (4,0) to end the day undefeated in their four games.
Makos Mixed Senior team manager Karen Barnes said teams are facing strong competition from across NSW and are holding up to the modified conditions.
"We've had four wins from four wins today. The team is holding up okay considering the conditions," she said.
"The twelve minute halves change is making it tricky for teams to hit a rhythm. It makes the game a little slower because it can take a team the first ten minutes to hit their straps.
"Obviously with twelve minute halves your warm up is even more critical because teams can go into the game not ready to run. All the teams are really strong, they are high class outfits we are playing against.
"It's a good thing to be the local team so people can come out to have a look, cheer for Port Macquarie and have that support.
"Our hopes are to not drop a game, win on Sunday and finally secure that NSW State Cup win. We have previously made semi-finals before but we have never won it."
The Mixed Seniors might be followed into the finals by the Makos Mixed Masters team who have faced Forster Tuncurry Tornadoes in round three. After smashing Gunnedah (4,1) and squashing the Penrith Panters (6,0) earlier on Friday.
The Port Macquarie Makos Men's 20 side made it through round three on Friday against the Taree Flames. They had previously drawn with the Parramatta Eels (2,2) and defeated Penrith Panthers (4,2)
The Makos Men's Seniors side faced Ballina Bull Sharks in round four. They had previously been defeated by Dubbo Devils (2,3), Maitland Redbacks (1,2) and Newcastle City Knights (3,6).
Makos Men's Masters team faced Nelson Bay Neptunes in round four.They had previously drawn with Macksville Falcons (3,3), were beaten by Easts Roosters (1,4) and squashed by Deakin Thunder (12,0).
Makos Men's 55 team enjoyed a bye over the Friday afternoon after drawing with Newcastle City Knights (2,2) and Manly Sea Eagles (2,2).
Where to catch some matches involving Port Macquarie on Saturday:
Men's seniors (over 30s)
vs Wests Magpies @ 9.45am (field 9)
vs Wallsend Wolves @ 11.30am (field 16)
vs Sydney University Stingers @ 1.50pm (field 3)
vs Manly Sea Eagles @ 4.10pm (field 6)
Mixed seniors
vs Carlingford Cyclones @ 9.45am (field 7)
vs Hills Hornets @ 11.30am (field 11)
vs Doyalson Dragons @ 1.50pm (field 16)
Men's masters
vs Manly Sea Eagles @ 9.10am (field 22)
vs Hills Hornets @ 11.30am (field 2)
vs SWS Raptors @ 4.10pm (field 14)
Women's masters
vs Manly Sea Eagles @ 12.05pm (field 13)
vs Hills Hornets @ 2.25pm (field 20)
vs Manly Sea Eagles 2 @ 4.45pm (field 19)
Mixed masters
vs Berkeley Vale Panthers @ 9.45am (stadium)
vs St George Dragons @ 1.50pm (field 11)
Men's 55s
vs Beresfield Bandits @ 11.30am (field 19)
vs Moruya Sharks @ 4.10pm (field 21)
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