News

Defending McNamara Cup champions Karaka host fellow top four contender Pukekohe at Karaka Sports Complex on Saturday in a game with playoff implications.

The abbreviated format this season means any time two of the contending sides meet the outcome has a bigger impact on the playoffs than in previous seasons and a Pukekohe win could go a long way to helping Michael Porter’s side play post-season footy.

Similarly, a Karaka win would really open up the gap between the competition’s three leading sides and the chasing pack.

Papakura host Bombay in another game where playoff implications are relevant – both sides have proven to be competitive and in the battle for a potential semi-final berth.

A win over a team in a similar position is obviously doubly important.

Bombay are coming off a good win while Papakura were on the receiving end of a big score against Karaka last week but will be back home and desperate to win.

Weymouth hosts top-of-the-table Patumahoe at Laurie Gibbons Field in what looms as a difficult task. Patumahoe are coming off a brutal encounter with Manurewa last week however and may look to give some younger players a run.

Ardmore Marist hosts Manurewa at Bruce Pulman Park to complete the round. The home side are winless since an opening week victory and will find it tough to compete against a strong Manurewa side that will be smarting from the narrowest of defeats last week.

Waiuku’s Sid Marshall Shield side hosts Bombay’s Bob Chandler Cup team this week in the Counties Energy Game of the Week at Rugby Park in Waiuku.

It looms as an interesting contest with Waiuku looking like one of the dominant Sid Marshall sides this season.

Maramarua will be chasing a win when they are back at home against Manurewa in an all-Sid Marshall contest while leading outfit Drury heads to Tuakau for another Sid Marshall match-up.

Patumahoe’s Sid Marshall side heads to Karaka to tackle their Bob Chandler side while Te Kohanga and Te Kauwhata do battle in a Sid Marshall contest that will be worth keeping an eye on.

Puni will host Pukekohe’s Bob Chandler side at Puni Domain.

Old foes Manurewa and Patumahoe square off in a mouth-watering Massey Cup U21 clash at Mountfort Park. The two sides produced a thrilling opening round draw at Patumahoe and the second game promises to give one team bragging rights.

Pukekohe heads to Massey Park to face Papakura in the other game in the grade.

Waiuku’s U85kg side travels to Colin Lawrie Fields to play Pukekohe in what should be a terrific contest.

Elsewhere in the grade, Karaka meets Papakura at South Park, Bombay hosts the in-form Onewhero side while Beachlands Maraetai head to Patumahoe to play the defending champions.

Local sides Ardmore Marist and Papakura meet in an all-Counties Manukau Women’s Premier contest at Bruce Pulman Park.

The two sides sit fifth and sixth on the ladder respectively and the game should be a good contest.

Manurewa hosts West Rangers at Mountfort Park.

Patumahoe travel to Colin Maiden Park to play University in the 10-a-side competition.