Frantic Last Fortnight In Store In Hardham Cup

Look out for a frantic final fortnight of Hardham Cup round robin play, with four premier clubs fighting it out for a place in next year's Swindale Shield competition as well as for a spot in the semi-finals.

It shapes as an anxious next two weeks for Wainuiomata, Avalon, Upper Hutt and Johnsonville, all desperate to join the already safe Oriental-Rongotai in the playoff round and avoid the relegation noose. In shades of last year's Hardham Cup, that went down to the final whistle of the last round, all the signs are there for a similar outcome. It could all come down to bonus points.

Ories, in the thick of the Hardham Cup drama this time last year, can deservedly sit back and plan a home semi-final while the make-up of the rest of the top four unfolds around them - literally. This is because they are a team that both Upper Hutt and Johnsonville have to try and beat, or at least collect bonus points against over the final two rounds.

Johnsonville's remarkable 35-34 win over Avalon last week now sees Avalon occupying the dreaded relegation zone in fifth place, barring upset losses to ‘B' sides in the remaining two rounds, both Avalon and Wainuiomata should be safe. This then leaves defending champions Upper Hutt and promotion hopefuls Johnsonville in the hot seat.

In the game of the round this week, defending champions Upper Hutt will be hoping to reverse their first round 6-17 defeat to Ories in their encounter at the Polo Ground in a game that could guarantee their safety, ahead of Johnsonville's visit to Miramar in the final round. However if Ories can extend their winning streak to seven this week, against Upper Hutt, Johnsonville's match-up with them in round seven could take on huge significance for the fortunes of both clubs. Johnsonville have the least to lose, having already spent the first half of this season in the Premier Two grade, and will no doubt take every opportunity to snatch a victory.

In other matches this week, Johnsonville will be seeking out a four-try win over struggling Marist St. Pat's in their last home game of the regular season, while similar outcomes will be expected at William Jones Park, where Wainui hosts Northern United, as well as at Kilbirnie Park in the early game between Poneke and Avalon.

Meanwhile in the Jubilee Cup, unbeaten MSP will be gunning for ten wins in a row and a guaranteed home semi-final against the Wests Roosters at Evans Bay Park. At the Basin Reserve, OBU will need to beat Norths to keep their top four dream intact for another week, as will Tawa over Poneke at Kilbirnie Park. Meanwhile Hutt Old Boys Marist and Petone play each other to cement their semi-final places at the Petone Recreation Ground.