Two unbeaten sides meet when Pukekohe hosts Karaka at Colin Lawrie Fields in Pukekohe on Saturday in week three McNamara Cup action.
Pukekohe share top of the table thanks to wins over Ardmore Marist and Manurewa in the opening fortnight but will get a stern test against a Karaka outfit that impressed in their week one win over Manurewa.
Craig Hill’s side had a bye last week and will be out to beat a Pukekohe side that they’ve shared a hard-fought rivalry with over recent times.
“One thing you get when playing Puke is you know they are going to compete in every area of the game and for the full 80,” Hill told Counties Sports Hub.
“The boys in their pack are coming of age and had a terrific season last year outside of the semi-final.
“Karaka v Puke is one the Karaka supporters always look forward to. There is never a lot between the teams.”
Manurewa, winless in their first two matches despite playing well, travels to unbeaten Patumahoe in a mouth-watering clash.
Patumahoe are fresh off a big win over Ardmore Marist while Manurewa have gone down narrowly to Karaka and Pukekohe in a brutal early season schedule.
Jeremy Clark’s side will be ready for the challenge.
“First two weeks have been good, tough games,” Clark said. “We aren’t too far off – with a few tweaks here and there we will get into that winner’s circle.
“It is a close competition with many competitive teams so looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Bombay, fresh off a draw against Papakura in their first match of the season last week, host Ardmore Marist at Bombay Domain.
Ardmore Marist has found life hard in the opening couple of weeks but will be out to put in a more competitive performance against Mike Tuiloma’s side.
Papakura has the bye.
Weymouth will take their unbeaten Sid Marshall Shield record on the road to Te Kauwhata this week in what shapes as an intriguing contest.
Maramarua, who have been impressive in racing out to a 2-0 record, will travel to Puni while Onewhero hosts neighbours Te Kohanga in what looms as a tight contest.
Defending champions Drury head to Manurewa searching for their first win of the season while Waiuku hosts Tuakau at Rugby Park.
Patumahoe hosts Manurewa in Massey Cup U21 play on a day where the two clubs face each other in multiple grades while Karaka travels to Colin Lawrie Fields to play Pukekohe in a similar scenario.
Neighbours Manurewa and Weymouth meet at Laurie Gibbons Field in an exciting Bright Cup U19 match-up.
Elsewhere, Ardmore Marist travels to Pukekohe while Waiuku heads to Onewhero to play TKO (Tuakau, Onewhero and Te Kohanga combined team).
Drury hosts Beachlands Maraetai in U85kg action with both sides chasing a first win of the season.
Waiuku travels to Pukekohe, while Onewhero hosts Karaka.
Manurewa Premier Women head to Papatoetoe Recreation Ground to face Papatoetoe in Emma Jensen Cup action.
Karaka, fresh off a win last week, hosts Waitakere in the Women’s Development grade while elsewhere, Patumahoe hosts Eden and two local sides meet when Papakura travels to Colin Lawrie Fields to play Pukekohe.
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