Waikato Draught Premiership A Round 2 Week 2 Preview (Kickoff B’s – 1.00pm, A’s – 2.45pm)

The Premiership division kicked off last week with four teams recording bonus point wins. Otorohanga sit at top the standings due to their slightly better point’s differential.

Hamilton Marist v Hautapu – Marist Park

This match  is the only one this weekend between two undefeated teams as both sides picked up bonus point wins last weekend and sit on the same points at the top of the standings. Hamilton Marist technically sit just above Hautapu due to a better points differential. When these two teams met in Round 1 Hautapu was the home team and they won that encounter comfortably 54-40. So look for Hamilton Marist to try and get some revenge when they play in front of a home crowd this weekend. For Hautapu a win will see their undefeated 2019 continue. 

Melville v Fraser Tech – Collins Road

Melville are home again this week and will need to shake off last week’s loss to get themselves back in the running for a top four spot. Fraser Tech will look to continue their current win streak and keep their spot in the top four. Back in Round 1 Melville was the last team to beat Fraser Tech when they won at Collins Road 42-10, since then Fraser Tech has won seven straight. So Melville will be looking to put a stop to that current streak.  

Otorohanga v Hamilton Old Boys – Island Reserve

Otorohanga sit at the top of the standings and will be looking to continue their recent run of success against Hamilton Old Boys. Hamilton Old Boys will be desperate to pick up a win to keep up with the top four, but thery will find it tough playing away from home down at Island Reserve. Otorohanga are very strong at home and are yet to taste defeat at this venue in 2019. In Round 1 Otorohanga won the first encounter 27-10 over Hamilton Old Boys at Island Reserve.

University v Te Awamutu Sports – Waikato University

Both teams are looking to bounce back from their losses last week, but it will be University that will be looking for revenge after being upset at home by Te Awamutu Sports in Round 1. Te Awamutu Sports came to Hamilton in week 2 of Round 1 and picked up a surprising 40-27 win over University. Can Te Awamutu Sports make it two from two in 2019 over University or will University get retribution, either way both teams will be hoping to pick up their first win of Round 2.

Lone Star Championship Round 2 Week 1 Preview (Kickoff B’s – 1pm, A’s - 2.45pm)

The Championship division kicks off this weekend with eight teams competing for the NZFP trophy and Lone Star Cup. Premier teams Morrinsville Sports and Taupiri joined the top six Division 1 teams of United Matamata Sports, Southern United, Suburbs, Leamington, Hinuera and Ohaupo to make up the new Championship division for Round 2.

Hinuera v United Matamata Sports – Wealleans Park

United Matamata Sports topped the standings at the end of Round 1 and were awarded the WRRA trophy and seured more home games in Round 2. Again they travel to Wealleans Park to take on neighbours Hinuera in a rematch from week 10 in Round 1. That match saw the visitors United Matamata Sports beat the home team Hinuera 27-15 in the first battle of the neighbours. 

Leamington v Southern United – Leamington Park

This match will be an interesting one as both teams drew 17 all at Leamington Park back in week 9 of Round 1. Again this match is being placed at Leamington Park so the home team will be looking for a win to start off Round 2 in the best possible way, while Southern United will be looking for a vital away win.

Morrinsville Sports v Suburbs – Campbell Park

Premier club Morrinsville Sports narrowly missed out on a spot in the Premiership, so this week they begin their quest to play their way back into the Premier competition for 2020. Suburbs will face a tough task playing away from home but if they are able to pick up a win over a Premier club, it will help their mission of promotion at the end of the season.

Taupiri v Ohaupo – Murphy Lane

Taupiri had a tough time in Round 1 of the Premier competition failing to record a single win. So this weekend they will be desperate to shake the monkey off their back and record their first win of 2019. While Ohaupo was a surprise package in Division 1, Ohaupo at one point  in Round 1 lead the division. But a few losses towards the end of the first round saw them slide down the standings, however they had done enough at the start to pick up the final spot in the Championship.

Division 1

The remaining Division 1 teams of Pirongia, Te Rapa, Putaruru, Frankton and Huntly College Old Boys are on a bye week this weekend due to Queens Birthday Weekend. Division 1 Round 2 will kick off next weekend.

Division 2

Division 2 are on a bye week due to Queens Birthday Weekend.

Under 85kgs Week 9 (Kickoff – 1pm)

Melville continues their undefeated season making it eight from eight, while picking up seven bonus points in the process. They continue to lead the division with 39 points and hold a 5 point lead over second place Morrinsville Sports.

Fraser Tech WIN-DEFAULT Leamington – Mill Street

Hamilton Marist v Melville – Marist Park

University v Morrinsville Sports – Waikato University

Colts Week 9 (Kickoff 1pm)

Undefeated Leamington are the new overall leaders of the Colts division and sit at the top of the division with 33 points. They have a 2 point lead over seconf place Hamilton Marist.

Hamilton Boys High School v University – Steel Park

Hamilton Old Boys v Morrinsville Sports – Fred Jones Park

Leamington v Southern United – Leamington Park

Matamata Combined v Hamilton Marist – Wealleans Park

Pirongia – BYE

Gallagher Women’s Premiership

The Gallagher Women’s Premiership are on a bye week due to Queens Birthday Weekend.

Article added: Friday 31 May 2019