Plenty of rugby in lower grades

While much of the attention is focused on the three big matches on the Hutt Recreation Ground on Sunday, there’s still plenty of action going on in the lower grades on Saturday.

Senior 1 Ed Chaney Cup

There is much to play for at both ends of the table in the last round of round-robin matches. The match of the day is undoubtedly the top-two clash between leaders Paremata-Plimmerton (31 points) and second-placed Wainuiomata (30) on Ngatitoa Domain at 3.00 pm. Although both sides have qualified for the semi-finals already, a win for either side will guarantee them home-field for the final should they prevail next week. The two sides met in the first round Harper Lock Shield competition all the way back on the Easter Monday opening day, with Wainuiomata narrowly winning at home 14-12.

The third side in contention for a home-semi is Tawa (26), who host Norths (13) at Lyndhurst Park. Tawa will want to atone for last week’s loss to Hutt Old Boys Marist and needs win to get that home advantage next week while hoping that Wainuiomata don’t prevail at Ngatitoa. If Tawa and Wainuiomata finish tied on competition points then Tawa will host a semi-final owing to their 26-24 win in the first week of the Ed Chaney round. While Norths cannot make the semi-finals, they will be mindful that relegation is still a possibility and need at least one competition point to assure themselves a place in this grade next year.

Three teams are in the mix for the fourth and final spot; HOBM on 23 points, Petone on 22 and Ories on 18.

HOBM would appear to have the easiest task travelling to Kilbirnie Park to face ninth-placed Poneke (9 points), but the home side will know that they need to win and score four tries to retain their place in this grade (while also hoping that Norths get nothing out of their game) and will take heart from their Premier sides win over the same club not long ago. Petone will need to think they need a bonus point win themselves at the very least to bridge that one point gap, but MSP, fresh off demolishing Norths last week and both unable to make the semis and safe from relegation will look to spoil their hopes. Should HOBM and Petone finish Saturday tied on competition points then Petone would go through due to their 15-3 win earlier in the round.

Ories, who host an already-relegated Upper Hutt at the Polo Ground, are the longshots to go through. At a minimum they need a bonus point win, and for HOBM to lose without getting any bonus points and for Petone to lose but get one bonus point. That would create a three-way tie on 23 points and because of the who-beat-who between these three teams in the round-robin it would come down to points difference. If Ories and HOBM are the only teams tied on 23 points then HOBM would progress because of their 14-13 win three weeks ago.

All matches bar the Pare-Plimmerton v Wainuiomata game are 1.15 pm kickoffs

Senior2 HD Morgan Memorial Cup

Because of the storm-related postponement a few weeks ago there is still two weeks of Senior 2 games to go before the playoffs.

The Wests Roosters (30 points) head the pack and having already secured a semi-final place will look to lock up home advantage for the finals when they travel to seventh-placed Wainuiomata (13), who themselves need a win to remain in semi-finals contention. OBU (25) are also guaranteed a semi place and can further their grip on having home advantage when they host MSP (14) at Nairnville Park while Avalon (21) can ensure they’ll be in the playoffs with a win away at bottom-side Poneke (11).

Fourth-placed Stokes Valley (17) can also qualify if they beat Johnsonville (14) at Delaney Park and MSP and Wainuiomata both lose. However if Johnsonville or the other sides prevail then there will still be something on the line next week. The final game has Norths facing Petone at Porirua Park, with both sides out of semi-final contention.

The Stokes Valley v Johnsonville game is a 3.00 pm kickoff, with the others all at 1.15 pm

Under 85kg Div 1 Paul Potiki Shield

Round 5 of the premier lightweights sees the OBU Bunnies take on Eastbourne at Te Whaea and the Tawa Titans host the MSP Reds at Lyndhurst Park, both at 3.00 pm. The MSP Blues again put their winning streak and the Centurions Cup on the line when they host the OBU Spartans on the St Patrick’s College artificial at the slightly later time of 3.30 pm. The Wellington Axemen have the bye this week.

In Division 2 action, Upper Hutt visit Petone, HOBM visit the Poneke Cav’s and Wainuiomata host Stokes Valley.

In other club fixtures there are full rounds scheduled in the Senior 3, Colts Division 2, Under 85kg Division 3 and both Reserve grade Divisions, as well as another round of Presidents Grade matches.

College Premier 1

After a break for the school holidays the College action returns this week with the semi-finals. Top qualifiers St Pat’s Silverstream host 2013’s surprise package Naenae College, and given their form would be heavy favourites to proceed to next week’s final.

However Naenae have come a long way since the sides last met back in round one in May (a 67-7 win for Silverstream) and have the talent and ability to run the home side close, but it would be a major upset if they were to prevail.

The other semi pits Wellington College at home against Scots College. The two sides last met a month ago, both with nationally televised defeats to Silverstream in their rear view mirror. Wellington came out on top 32-27, and it would be no surprise to similar high-scoring this Saturday. Wellington will go into the match as favourites to make their 13th final appearance this century, but Scots will like their chances, particularly if they strike a dry day for their dangerous backs to show their wares.

The other four teams are also in action for the Plate, with Rongotai hosting Porirua College and Hutt International Boys making the trip to play St Pat’s Town.

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