News

Defending champions Bombay host top-of-the-table Manurewa Kidd Contracting in a game that could have significant impact on McNamara Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

The home side desperately needs to win to keep pace with the top four sides having lost heavily to Ardmore Marist last weekend.

Paul Wheeler’s side is four points adrift of a playoff spot as it stands. After a surprise loss to Waiuku way back in March, when the competition got underway, they have played pretty well and have already had their bye.

But they were exposed by a quality Ardmore Marist side last week and will need to be at their best to take it to a Manurewa side that is yet to lose this season.

They are coming off an impressive showing on the road against Pukekohe last week and will go a long way to securing a home semi-final with a win over another of the title contenders.

Waiuku Brian James Contracting put a top four spot on the line when they host Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega in an important clash for the Vuga Tagicakibau/Buck Manning coached outfit. A win could open up a gap of more than a win back to the trailing teams while a loss could leave then vulnerable to the likes of Bombay.

Pukekohe have suffered back-to-back defeats and really need to win to stay in semi-final contention.

Karaka will look to keep their strong season rolling as they host Onewhero Summit Homes at Karaka Sports Complex.

They left it late to beat Patumahoe last week but have dropped just the one game so far this season and sit in third place on the ladder.

The suddenly in-form Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors travels to Massey Park to face bottom-placed Papakura.

Doug Sanft’s side will be missing some players that are taking part in the mid-week Cavaliers fixture and his depth will be tested a little.

Papakura will be desperate to roll one of the more fancied sides having started the season looking like a genuine contender but having seen their form drop away a touch in recent weeks.

A clash between Manurewa Wise Property Management and Bombay in the Bob Chandler Memorial Premier 2 grade will feature as the Counties Power Game of the Week.

The two sides sit third and fourth on the ladder – Bombay ahead by a point as it stands.

“It is a really important game for us given where both teams are on the table,” Bombay coach Marty Robson said.

“We have always had tough, close games against them and I expect this week will be no different.”

With both clubs having players in the Cavaliers and the PIC Steelers this season their depth will be tested and that will flow on to the Premier 2 sides.

“We will have our depth tested in the next few weeks so it is super important we pick up any points we can possibly get,” Robson added.

Tuakau hosts Maramarua in Sid Marshall Shield Premier 3 action while Patumahoe Village Bar & Kitchen faces Drury in a clash between the fifth and third placed teams on the points table.

Top-of-the-table Te Kauwhata hosts Ardmore Marist.

The two leading U21 sides – Manurewa and Patumahoe Albycon Ltd – square off in a crucial clash that should determine top qualifier for the semi-finals. Karaka travels to Bombay while Waiuku hosts Pukekohe in other grade fixtures.

Papakura hosts Bombay in a crucial U85kg grade game that could have playoff implications while Karaka will hope to move into the top four when they host Beachlands Maraetai. Onewhero Bottle’O Tuakau travels to the competition leading Pukekohe while Waiuku hosts Te Kauwhata.

Manurewa women will look to repeat their convincing win over arch-rivals Ardmore Marist when they do battle for the second week running. Papakura women take on Grammar TEC at Massey Park.