Club rugby is upon us, and we are looking at a wet & windy afternoon of club footy. It is last chance salon for a couple premier sides while Division & the Colts Competition have two regular season matches remaining.

The Waikato Draught Breweries Shield Premiership play-off scenario is a one game shoot out for two sides, while Hamilton Marist are playing for their final position in the playoffs. Hamilton Old Boys host Otorohanga at Fred Jones Park. Otorohanga are coming off the bye last weekend and currently sit in fifth spot – a win in Hamilton over the home side will see them jump Hamilton Old Boys and sneak into the fourth play-off spot. Hamilton Old Boys have the chance to stay fourth with a win, or if Hautapu can get the job done over Hamilton Marist across the river, then best case scenario is Hamilton Old Boys can get into third. Hautapu are locked into top spot, while Te Awamutu Sport on their bye cannot be passed into second spot – both Waipa teams will be hosting play-offs next weekend.

It has been a struggle in the second round for Otorohanga who are yet to record a win – unfortunately, going down by five points over Te Awamutu Sports and two points over Hautapu, had those two results gone the other way we would be looking at a very different play-off scenario. Hamilton Old Boys and Hamilton Marist have also not been without their struggles either. Both finished the first round with a good win percentage but have staggered through to a sole victory each prior to this weekend.

Hamilton Marist hosts the undefeated Hautapu at Marist Park in what is a big day on Old Farm Road. The Premier side are chasing a victory to build some momentum for play-offs next weekend, while the Hamilton Marist Under 85kg side is playing in special one-off jerseys in partnership with MATES Matter and will auction those off in the club rooms Saturday evening to raise funds. Hautapu will come to town with the mindset that top spot to locked away, and they will be back home next week – hosting either Hamilton Marist or Hamilton Old Boys, they will want to finish strong and fire a warning shot to any teams that come across them in the next fortnight.

Meanwhile, in the Lone Star Championship Fraser Tech return from their bye and make the trip out to Morrinsville for the second time this year. They will be after a similar result to last time where they put away the home side comfortably 43-5 back in week four. Morrinsville are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021 so they will back themselves to take a massive scalp, and with that a possible chance of topping the Championship with other results going their way.

The big match of the weekend, with massive implications for a number of teams, is when University travel over to Matamata to take on the home side. Returning home after a comprehensive win last weekend over Melville, Matamata too could jump to the top of the ladder if Morrinsville upset Fraser Tech. Some milestones also happening at Bedford Park as club legend Ryan Tuhakaraina will suit up for his 100th match, while brother Josh Tuhakaraina and Stevie Edmonds will play their 50th matches for the premier sides. Along with Fraser Tech and Morrinsville, United Matamata Sports have a play-off spot locked up for next weekend, they are just awaiting their opposition and where they play. A win ensures it will be at home.

The big challenge for the weekend comes for University – a side yet to win a match in the second round and with the talent they have at that club, they shouldn’t be chasing their first win in the second round at this time of the year. While University are chasing the much needed win, Melville are sitting at Collins Road on their bye weekend waiting with baited breathe for that result. A win to University will see the students jump Melville into the play-offs and will consign Melville to that dreaded fifth spot and will face off in the promotion relegation match in the back end of July, while a lose for University will see them hold on to that fifth spot, and they will be consigned to promotion / relegation rugby for 2023.

The Mooloo Shield Competition moves into week four of five of their second round and top of table Leamington will sit out the weekend to enjoy a much-needed rest for the Cambridge men. A weekend of derby matches awaits for the four remaining sides. A big showdown awaits in the South this weekend where southern rivals Southern United host Putaruru in a battle of 2 v 3. Putaruru have surprised many people this season and find themselves three points shy of Leamington and a win in Tokoroa will see them jump to top spot and set up a 1 v 2 clash of the titan’s next weekend. Meanwhile, Southern United needs the win if they harbor any hopes of making the big dance in a fortnight’s time. Southern United will draw level with or jump Putaruru with five competition points and will go to Pirongia next week knowing Putaruru & Leamington are facing off where one side will eliminate the other if SURF win in Pirongia – plenty to play for in Tokoroa!

While in Ohaupo they host their neighbours Pirongia in a 4 v 5 match-up and what will be Ohaupo’s last game of the year – they sit out next weekend with the bye. Back in early May it was Pirongia who got up 26-17 over Ohaupo to record their first loss of 2023, and since then their season hasn’t quite been the same for Ohaupo. They will be excited to be back home in front of their loyal supporters and will be keen to finish out the season with one last victory on the domain.

The Division 1 Championship is a very tight competition with only four points separating the top team to fourth place – the only side not in the running is Frankton who play their last match this weekend. Suburbs and Hinuera are sitting well placed up the top – both with only two matches and two wins beside their name. They face off this weekend in Hinuera where the winner will jump to top spot and set themselves up well with a week to go. A big weekend for Hinuera's Ricky Edwards as he will run out for his 100th match for his beloved HInuera team. Taupiri travel to Hamilton and play Frankton and are in must win territory if they want to be playing finals rugby with another big match next weekend vs Suburbs.

The Under 85kg Competition are into their last regular season matches. Leaders Morrinsville host Leamington at Campbell Park in an action-packed day over there. Hamilton Marist is at home over Melville, and like mentioned earlier will be playing in those one-off jerseys. A big match for both of those sides as the winner will secure second place on the ladder and will host the semi-final rugby next weekend. Fraser Tech make the big trip down to play Kio Kio United. A likely win to Fraser Tech could see them leap Melville into third place if Hamilton Marist get the job done or will set up a semi-final showdown in Morrinsville next weekend for the Tech men.

The Colts Competition has the much-anticipated match between 1 v 2. Undefeated Hamilton Marist travel across town and face rivals and fellow undefeated Hamilton Old Boys at Willoughby Park – the winner will go to top spot and all but assure themselves a top spot on the ladder for play-off rugby. Other top side Hautapu have the week off thanks to Fraser Tech defaulting, and while they currently sit top of the table on Friday evening, they will be jumped come Saturday afternoon. Morrinsville Sports face a tough challenge vs their neighbours in Thames Valley United over in Paeroa.  

Suburbs, who sit well inside the next five for the Colts Championship are at home hosting the young men from Te Awamutu Sports. Hamilton Boys High – eighth, host seventh place Hinuera, in a big matchup for both sides, both needing a win to hold off the chasing Pirongia who will be eager to crack into that Championship. Leamington host Waitete in Cambridge while United Matamata Sports’ young men make the trip across to Pirongia to wrap up the weekends club rugby action.

Article added: Friday 30 June 2023