Our Livestream this weekend’s features two strong, top four teams in our Premiership competition – Te Awamutu Sports play host to Hamilton Marist. Te Awamutu Sport who had their first defeat last weekend at Hamilton Old Boys are heading back to what they call the “Den” looking to get their season back on track taking on an undefeated Hamilton Marist who will be full of confidence after building good momentum over recent week playing at home. Two of the competition leading points scorers in Wharenui Hawera & Sam Toa will go head-to-head this weekend – who comes out on top this weekend? We will find out around 4.30pm Saturday afternoon.

Otorohanga head back to the Island Reserve after a fortnight of away trips in Hamilton where they attained a one win, one loss record – that loss came last weekend with a bonus point defeat to University in week three. After making a change in 2023 Otorohanga First Five Dom Clapcott will be excited to put on a show for his new home fans and show his old team some more of that form they were used to in 2022. Heading down for their first road trip of the year is the high-flying Hamilton Old Boys. After getting their hands on the Stag Trophy in week one, HOB is in a good space. They will be excited by another big challenge this weekend down in Otorohanga.

Other premier matches see current holders of the Power Farming George Simpkin Memorial United Matamata Sports travel over to Cambridge to take on Hautapu. Both sides coming off victories in week 3. A Hautapu will see them continue to stick with the top five sides, while an upset for United Matamata Sports will continue to push their claim at cracking into the top five. Melville host University at Collins Road, and for one of Morrinsville Sports or Fraser Tech they will get their first win of the year when they do battle in Morrinsville Saturday afternoon – unless of course, they can’t be decided, and we get our first draw of the year.

In Division One Frankton are hosting Pirongia at Swarbrick Park for their first home game which also doubles as their Ladies Day. Frankton are still to get their first win of the year and will be excited by the additional support for what will be a big day at the club. Pirongia will pose a strong challenge for the home men as they sit at the opposite end of the table with two wins from two to open their 2023 campaign. Two sides that have not featured at the top end of the table in recent years see Te Rapa back home at St Andrews Park hosting Putaruru. Te Rapa are unbeaten after two weeks, while Putaruru coming in with a 50/50 record, but a strong points differential sees them sitting well compared to many of the other sides with the same win loss record.

Hinuera is excited to get home for their first home game of the season when they go head-to-head vs Leamington. Winless after the first two rounds the Hinuera men will be hoping the hometown advantage will kick start their season. Meanwhile Leamington will be heading out to continue their good start to the season and look further crack into what is a very congested top half of the table.

Other matches are Southern United hosting top of the table Ohaupo. Like their Frankton and Hinuera counterparts, Southern United are at home for their first game and will look to get back into winning ways after a tight lose to Leamington last weekend, while Ohaupo are on the road for their first trip and will want to keep in front of the chasing pack with another victory. The last game of the weekend sees Suburbs hosting Taupiri at Flagstaff Park.

Our Gallagher Women’s Premiership heads into week three, with three teams remaining unbeaten, while three teams are chasing that allusive first victory for 2023. Hamilton Old Boys Huskies are hosting the ladies from Hamilton Marist in an exciting day for the Huskies – they are opening their purpose-built female change sheds facilities. In what will be a first home game for the Huskies, made extra special with this new purpose-built facility that they are of the understand is one of the first in the country. Southern United play host to Kihikihi in what will be a big day in Tokoroa with all teams at home. Likewise, for the Otorohanga ladies who are back home for their first game since week one – that weekend they were on the winning end of the result. The final women’s game this weekend seeing the ladies from Putaruru head home and host University.

Our Colts competition continues to produce young talent from across the region. The biggest Colts competition we have had in many years. That gets underway on Friday night with Suburbs hosting Leamington in our first night club game for the year, that game kicks off at Flagstaff Park 7pm Friday night. Suburbs have made a strong start to the year with two victories kicking off the year, and really throwing it out there to the fellow Colts teams in laying down the Friday night option. Top of the table Hamilton Marist host fellow undefeated rivals Morrinsville Sports at Marist Park. Te Awamutu Sports Colts kick off the home day trifecta at Albert Park when they host Hautapu Colts. Another side at home with their seniors is Hinuera and they host Hamilton Old Boys at Wealleans Park. Other matches see HBHS host Rugby United from Thames Valley, United Matamata Sports at home to University, Waitete hosting Fraser Tech and Pirongia hosting Southern United.

Division 2 continues their season with week two of their competition. Southern United, there second season with a Division 2 side, there third senior team at the club host Kihikihi, while the Guzzlers back up to the Huskies at Fred Jones Park hosting Jaradites and Hamilton Marist host Huntly in their first game of the gaming coming off the bye in week 1.

Under 85kg wraps up a Morrinsville Sports v Fraser Tech affair at Campbell Park. Like the Fraser Tech Premiers, the Under 85kg crew head to Morrinsville. Both sides, like their Premiers, are looking for their first wins of the season with both teams coming off defeats in week one. Week one winners Leamington host fellow week one winners Hamilton Marist out in Cambridge while Kio Kio host Melville to round the weekend’s action.

Article added: Thursday 20 April 2023