Premiership A Week 9 Preview (Kickoff B’s – 1.00pm, A’s – 2.45pm)

The Premier competition now becomes the Premiership with the top eight teams at the end of Round 1 all competing in the new Premiership division for the Haswell Catley trophy and Waikato Breweries Shield.

Morrinsville Sports and Taupri will have a BYE this week to wait for the conclusion of Divisions 1’s Round 1 to join the top six teams to form the Championship that will kick off next week.

Fraser Tech v Te Awamutu Sports – Mill Street

Fraser Tech finished off Round 1 in fourth and will look to continue their great form from Round 1 when they face Te Awamutu Sports at home. Te Awamutu Sports beat out Morrinsville Sports by 3 points to claim the final spot in the Premiership. These two sides met back in week 5 of Round 1 in Te Awamutu with Fraser Tech winning that match 38-21.

Hamilton Old Boys v Hautapu – Fred Jones Park   

Hamilton Old Boys finished off Round just outside of the top four by 2 points but the defending champs do begin Round 2 at home against the undefeated Hautapu at Fred Jones Park. Hautapu did not drop a game in Round 1 to win the Ron Crawford memorial trophy so will be looking to continue that run this weekend. Both these teams faced each other in week 2 of Round 1 at the same venue with Hautapu winning that match 33-19.

Melville v Hamilton Marist – Collins Road

Both these teams happened to play each other at the end of Round 1 last weekend with Hamilton Marist just beating Melville in a nail biter. The win meant Hamilton Marist finished off in third place in the standings and Melville dropped back to sixth. This week the match is basically a replica of last week’s match same teams at the same venue So Melville will be looking for revenge in this match to start their Round 2 off in the right way, while Hamilton Marist will be looking for back to back win over Melville.

Otorohanga v University – Island Reserve.

Otorohanga finished Round 1 off in second place 8 points behind the competition leaders Hautapu. University finished in seventh place at the end of Round 1, 4 points in front of Te Awamutu Sports and 10 points behind Melville.  This week Otorohanga host University at home at Island Reserve, the same venue these two teams played at back in week 5 of Round 1 where Otorohanga beat University in that game 60-26.

Division 1A Week 11 Preview (Kickoff B’s – 1pm, A’s - 2.45pm)

We head into the final week of Round 1 of the Division 1A competition with three teams, United Matamata Sports, Leamington and Southern United still with a chance to top the division and win the WRRA trophy.

 Hinuera v Leamington – Wealleans Park

Game of the Round material this game is shaping up to be as second place Leamington travel to face fifth place Hinuera. If Leamington can win this match and United Matamata Sports lose Leamington has a chance to take the top spot and win the division but they will face stiff competition from Hinuera who are currently safe in the Championship for next season but a loss and an upset by either Ohaupo or Pirongia could see them miss out.

Huntly College Old Boys v Te Rapa – Rugby Park

Huntly College Old Boys are still searching for their first win of 2019 while ninth place Te Rapa will want to finish Round 1 with a win setting themselves up for more home games in Round 2. Both teams will continue Round 2 in Division 1A and will play for the Mooloo Shield in Round 2.

Ohaupo v United Matamata Sports

Ohaupo will be desperate for a win in this match to hold off Pirongia and claim the last spot in the Championship for Round 2. If they do not win they will need to pick up some bonus points to be safe in case Pirongia pull off an upset win. But this week they will host first place United Matamata Sport who need just a win to top the division for Round 1 and claim the WRRA trophy and more home games for Round 2.

Southern United v Pirongia – Memorial Sports Grounds

Southern United currently sit in third place but on equal points with Leamington, the only reason they sit below them is due to a 29 point differential. So they are in the same position as Leamington get a big win at home over Pirongia and have a chance to top the division or finish in second place to get more home games in Round 2. Pirongia will be desperate for an upset win to steal the final spot in the Championship from Ohaupo or Hinuera. It will be a tough ask as Southern United are very strong at home.

Suburbs v Putaruru – Flagstaff Park

Suburbs are already safe in the Championship for Round 2 but still have a slim chance to finish in second or third place if a couple of upsets happen. Putaruru are already locked in to continue in Division 1 for Round 2 for this game is just for pride but if they can get an upset they will have more home games in Round 2.

Frankton – BYE

Division 2 Week 7 (Kickoff – 2.45pm)

Hamilton Old Boys and Raglan remain as the only unbeaten sides in this division. But this weekend both sides face off at Willoughby Park a rematch of the Division 2 final from 2018. Whoever wins this game will be the outright leader of the division and will be the last undefeated side in the competition.

Hamilton Old Boys v Raglan – Willoughby Park

Jaradites v Te Awamutu Marist – Steele Park   

Kihikihi v Whatawhata – Kihikihi Domain

Matangi Hillcrest v Kereone – Matangi Park

Under 85kgs Week 8 (Kickoff – 1pm)

Melville has a 5 point lead at the top of the standings as their undefeated season continues. Both Melville and Morrinsville Sports are starting to put distance between them and the rest of the competition as between second and third there is a 9 point gap.

Hamilton Marist v University – Marist Park

Melville v Fraser Tech – Collins Road

Morrinsville Sports v Leamington – Campbell Park

Colts Week 8 (Kickoff 1pm)

Matamata Combined continues to lead the division by 1 point and could lose that position this weekend after their bye week. Leamington has a chance to go to the top with a win over Morrinsville Sports.

Hamilton Marist v Hamilton Old Boys – Marist Park

Morrinsville Sports v Leamington – Campbell Park

Southern United v Hamilton Boys High School – Memorial Sports Grounds

University v Pirongia – Waikato University

Matamata Combined– BYE

Gallagher Women’s Premiership Week 6 (Kickoff 1pm)

Only Melville remains as the last undefeated team in the division and hold a commanding 9 point lead over second place Hamilton Old Boys.

Hamilton Old Boys v University – Fred Jones Park

Melville v Kihikihi – Deanwell Park

Putaruru v Otorohanga –  Nola Block

Taupiri – Bye

Article added: Friday 24 May 2019