Week three of club rugby action is upon us with plenty of code on offer tomorrow. We have Te Awamutu Sports defending their recent George Simpkin Power Farming Trophy victory at Albert Park when they host Otorohanga, Bradley Thomas – a young up and coming referee referees his first Premier club game when he controls Hamilton Marist v United Matamata Sports and several sides looking to keep their winning record intact for another week.

Waikato Draught Men’s Premiership

Top of the table Hamilton Marist are at Marist Park and welcome United Matamata Sports to Hamilton. After two convincing wins the Marist men will be looking to make it three from three to start 2024, meanwhile, meanwhile United Matamata Sports are on the road for their first away trip of the season and will be coming to town off the back of a good win at home in week one and a close loss last weekend. The Matamata side are showing promise and much improved from this time in 2023. Hamilton Marist will need to be on their game to keep the perfect start alive. Fellow top side Hautapu are at home again this weekend taking on the students from University. University got their season on track last week with the tightest of wins at home vs Hamilton Old Boys and will be keen to get out to Cambridge and cause a massive boil over for the Cambridge based side.

Fraser Tech and fellow winless side Melville go head-to-head where both sides will be eager to record their first points on the ladder and get into the winner’s circle for 2024. Fraser Tech are back home at Mill Street Park after the Cambridge trip last weekend while Melville make the trip across town following a tough week two outing vs Hamilton Marist.  Hopefully joining them in the winners circle this weekend will be either Morrinsville Sports or Hamilton Old Boys who square off at Campbell Park. Morrinsville are at home for the first time in 2024 with all their club sides and will be keen to get one over the city-based club.

A special shout out to Waikato referee Bradley Richardson who has been appointed to his first Premier club fixture and will control Hamilton Marist v United Matamata Sports. Bradley started his refereeing career at high school in Waikato and has recently returned from studying in Christchurch where he progressed through senior rugby down there.

All Premier games are scheduled to kick off at 2.45pm with Premier B games at 1pm.

Division 1

Suburbs return to Division 1 action this weekend following a week two bye when they travel out to Pirongia. Bouncing back after a week one defeat, Pirongia got a W under their belt with a good win in Morrinsville last weekend beating Kereone 33-5. Top side Putāruru return home and host struggling Kereone, undefeated since April 29 2023 the home side will be keen to show their faithful home supporters their good form from 2023 is here to stay throughout 2024. The other two undefeated sides in 2024 to date is Hinuera and Southern United when this weekend the Tokoroa men will travel to Wealleans Park looking to cause a bit upset for the home fans.

The final two matches see Te Rapa at home for third home game in as many weeks hosting Leamington. Both teams coming off week two defeats will be looking to get back into winning ways and back into the top half of the ladder. Finally, after a big win last weekend in town, Ohaupo are back home this weekend hosting Taupiri where Taupiri will be chasing their first win of the year after an opening weekend bye and defeat in week two.

Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership & Championship

Back to winning ways is Hamilton Old Boys’ Huskies after a strong win vs Otorohanga in week two, the Hamilton club is back home hosting Kihikihi this weekend. Now with Super Rugby Aupiki wrapped up for the year we are looking forward to seeing the return of those players back into our Women’s club competition. Traditionally the Huskies have been well represented by Super Rugby Aupiki players and they will be keen to get those players back as soon as possible.

The other Premiership match up sees University hosting Melville at the University. Coming off a bye in week two and a win in week one the University ladies sit atop the ladder with a superior points differential over all other sides excluding Kihikihi who have recorded a win each in the opening two rounds.

In the Waitomo Group Women’s Championship, we have three sides undefeated – Putāruru, Hautapu and Suburbs all two from two with perfect starts to the year. Putāruru will be home this weekend when they host Hamilton Marist in what will be their first game of the year after a bye and default. United Matamata Sports host Taupiri at Bedford Park, while newcomers Pirongia are home hosting Waitete.

The final match up is Hauraki hosting Hautapu over in the Valley where the home side started the season with a win and a bye – a win this week at home will see them move their way up the ladder. A tough challenge awaits as the Hautapu ladies have also started with a perfect record and will be looking forward to their trip coming home with another win to their name.

Colts

The Colts competition again is shaping up to be a tightly contested thing in 2024. Only two sides remain unbeaten to start the year with over half the teams having at least one win to their name already.

Thames Vallet United is one of those sides undefeated and host the young men from University. Both sides are off the back of victories in week two, Thames Valley United make the trip back home to Waihi’s Rugby Park and welcome a resurgent University side. Reigning champions Hamilton Marist returns to Marist park and hosts United Matamata Sports. Other matches see Suburbs hosting Hamilton Old Boys at Flagstaff Park, Hautapu hosting Fraser Tech in Cambridge, Morrinsville Sports back home host near neighbours Hinuera and Pirongia at home with their senior men’s and ladies’ team in an action-packed weekend at Pirongia Domain hosting Leamington.

Under 85kgs

Week one winners Morrinsville Sports welcome Fraser Tech out to Morrinsville in a packed-out Campbell Park Saturday afternoon where they have all teams at home for the first time in 2024. Fraser Tech are coming off a draw in week one and will be pushing for the upset of the round in this competition if they can get up over the defending champions. Fellow week one winners Hamilton Marist make the trip out to Leamington where they will back themselves to go two from two to start 2024. The final match up of the weekend is Kio Kio at home for their second consecutive home match when they host Melville. Both sides are looking to get into the winners column with tough opening weekends where Melville could not be split vs Fraser Tech and Kio Kio starting with a tough opening week hosting Hamilton Marist.

Catch all the rugby action this weekend around the province. For full draw and results – CLICK HERE.

Article added: Wednesday 17 April 2024