Kings Birthday weekend is upon us, a much-anticipated long weekend that many have looked forward with Men’s Premiership & Division 1 rugby on the table and a catch-up match in the Women’s Championship kicks off the weekend Thursday evening, with all other competitions enjoy the long weekend.

Waikato Draught Men’s Premiership

Week nine is here, the final week of round one and two big matches of note to keep your eyes on Saturday afternoon. Four of the top five are locked in – Hamilton Marist, Hautapu, Otorohanga and University, while Hamilton Old Boys, Melville and Fraser Tech are all chasing the final spot.

Hamilton Marist will receive the Ron Crawford Memorial Saturday afternoon following their match vs Te Awamutu Sports as the winner of round one in the Premier A competition. They sit 7 points clear of second place Hautapu adding another trophy alongside the Stag Trophy they picked up earlier in the round.

Hautapu makes the trip out to square off against Morrinsville Sports at Campbell Park while Fraser Tech welcome United Matamata Sports to Mill Street Park in Hamilton.

The big match ups of note are Hamilton Old Boys hosting Otorohanga and Melville hosting University. Hamilton Old Boys and Melville – the two most realistic teams of picking up that fifth spot, while Fraser Tech has a very remote chance based on results of these two fixtures.

To break it down. Hamilton Old Boys currently have fifth spot on the ladder on 20 points, with Melville in sixth on 19 points. Hamilton Old Boys host third placed Otorohanga at Fred Jones Park. Old Boys win and they lock themselves into fifth place confining Melville to the Championship. However, if Hamilton Old Boys lose to Otorohanga and Melville can get up over University at home, it will see the Collins Road based side sneak into the five, leaving Hamilton Old Boys in the Championship for round two.

The most unlikely scenario is Fraser Tech, who are relying on both sides losing, gaining no bonus points and they may sneak in on a who beat who scenario into the top five.

Both Melville and Hamilton Old Boys are up against tough opposition. For Old Boys, Otorohanga have recorded 6 wins with one loss and a draw, those two coming in the last fortnight so they will be keen to get back on track with a win moving into the second round. While University have won their last three, until last week Melville had won four on the trot and will be eager to be back home following a tough trip to Cambridge. Both sides have plenty to play for and both matches will be quality.

Check out the Melville v University match on our Waikato Rugby Facebook page Saturday afternoon at 2.45pm with full commentary by Mintie and Joel Skulander.

Division One

The Division One competition is into week nine of their 11 week first round competition before they split into a Top 6 and Bottom 5 structure. The top six will compete for the Mooloo Shield, while the Bottom five will battle it out for the Division One Championship.

This weekend top side Hinuera have the bye and will enjoy the long weekend, unfortunately for them, it will also likely see them drop down what is a very congested Division 1 ladder at the top of the board. Currently on 32, Hinuera have Southern United on 29 and Suburbs on 28 competition points, also only having lost one match.

Southern United are at home for the second week in a row and will host Pirongia. A win for the Tokoroa men will likely see them end the weekend top of the table, while third place Suburbs are hosting Ohaupo. Ohaupo, currently in sixth are on the cusp of Mooloo Shield or Championship rugby in Round two. They will be after a big performance this week in town and will back themselves to upset the home side.

A side chasing the top six is Taupiri, currently five points behind Ohaupo, Taupiri need a win, their challenge will come from an inform Leamington side who went down to Southern United by one-point last weekend. A win at home for Taupiri at home and an Ohaupo loss will see the Taupiri men edge closer to the top six with two weeks to play.

In other matches, Putaruru host Te Rapa at Nola Block park while 2024 strugglers Kereone host Frankton in Morrinsville. Barring a dreaded draw, Frankton or Kereone will pick up their first win of the 2024 season and no doubt head into the long weekend absolutely buzzing.

Waitomo Group Women’s Championship

Pirongia and Putaruru got the long weekend underway Thursday evening when they played a catch-up match from an earlier week. Pirongia -playing their second match inside the week, while Putaruru are backing up after their Thursday night win under lights last week vs United Matamata Sports.

Article added: Wednesday 29 May 2024