News

Waiuku and Karaka will meet in the final of the U85kg competition at Navigation Homes Stadium from 1pm on Saturday.

Waiuku are hoping to defend their crown in what could be a big day for the club with their top side securing the Bill Marsh Cup for topping the round robin in the Championship grade.

Last year's champions had to work hard to sneak past a dogged Patumahoe side in the semi-finals last week and will head into the final as the favourites.

But Karaka have been knocking on the door all season and picked up a good win over Beachlands Maraetai in their semi-final last week.

The final will see a number of players competing that were named in the Counties Manukau U85kg representative side earlier in the week.

With second-ranked Weymouth defaulting their final round robin match against Onewhero in the Sid Marshall Shield, Waiuku are guaranteed to top the standings after the round robin.

Both clubs will host a home semi-final next weekend - Waiuku will meet last year's champions Drury while Weymouth will host Onewhero at Laurie Gibbons Reserve.

Those sides warm up for the semis with a final round of matches on Saturday

Waiuku will travel to Mountfort Park to play Manurewa while Drury travels to Tuakau.

Elsewhere, Maramarua hosts Te Kohanga, while Te Kauwhata heads to Puni.

Pukekohe and Ardmore Marist will meet in the President's Cup, also to be held at Navigation Homes Stadium.