Will the Iluka Cossacks return to the playing fields at Iluka this week is the question on everybody’s lips. After starting the season with two strong wins, the Cossacks have run into a bye round and two forfeits from our northern friends. This in effect could see the locals go five weeks without a game which is not an ideal situation for a Club re-entering the competition. The Far North Coast Rugby Union executive met earlier in the week to discuss the revamping of the draw with two teams withdrawing from the Presidents Cup competition. The possibility of merging with the second grade competition is on the agenda and forming a twelve team competition is a real option. No matter what happens, the Cossacks are just glad to be back playing rugby and look forward to playing whoever we oppose in coming weeks. One may think it is difficult to keep the squad enthused with so much uncertainty but that has been far from the case. Each training session sees the squad growing in confidence and the execution of plays with no one in front of us has been superb. What happens when fifteen players standing in front of us could be a different matter. The forwards, ably led by Isaiah Mutton have been working tirelessly on our line-outs and one of our jumpers, Dalton Shaw is reaching greater heights each week. The Cossacks have developed a strong mobile forward pack and showed against the man mountains from Kyogle that we can contest with the best. Peter Duncombe and Glenn Ayres are both having great years while the aging Ben Corfe has developed a new lease of life. It’s no secret to anyone that the Cossacks strength lies in the backs and there will be plenty of nervous opposition throughout the year. One thing that can’t be coached is speed and the Cossacks have an abundance of this commodity, not only in the run on team but there is plenty more strike power of the bench. Players like Andrew Kappeen, Caleb Williams and Lenny Anderson cannot only run but entertain with an abundance of skills. With the veteran Kris Thomsen steering the team around the park, the Cossacks will take some stopping. The Cossacks are scheduled to play at home this week and the Club is looking forward to another bumper crowd to be on hand. The players were over the moon with the support at our last game and hope to do the town proud throughout the year. Write it on the fridge, 3pm Saturday at the picturesque Iluka Sports Field, Iluka Cossacks verse whoever turns up to play. Local union local legends. See you all there. Tony Wiseman