News

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil can book a home semi-final in the Premiership Plate competition with a win over Papakura Thirsty Liquor in the Counties Power Game of the Week at Massey Park Saturday.

Papakura meanwhile can secure themselves a spot in those semi-finals if they are to triumph.

Waiuku holds a four-point advantage over Bombay Super Freight in what has become a head-to-head race between the two sides for the right to host a Plate semi-final.

Those two clubs play each other next weekend but Waiuku could have it wrapped up by then if results go their way.

“We had 24 boys at training keen as and building nicely especially at the right time of year,” coach Peter Nock said.

“We tried a few things last weekend against Weymouth and got a lot out of that so keen to travel to Papakura away from home motivated to perform to the best we can.

“The boys have got really enthusiastic at training and are enjoying themselves.

“We know it is a big game for us and know Papakura will be desperate to knock us over, which makes them dangerous.”

Papakura is basically in a head-to-head battle with Onewhero Summit Homes to make the Plate semi-finals.

They hold a one-point advantage and are due to meet Onewhero next week so a win over Waiuku could seal the deal with a game to spare.

In the other Plate match Bombay hosts Weymouth.

Manurewa Kidd Contracting hosts top ranked Karaka in the McNamara Cup Premiership at Mountfort Park in a game that could determine a home semi-final as well.

Fresh off a bye, Manurewa needs to make a charge this week if they are to challenge for an all-important home semi.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors could secure a home semi if they were to beat Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega at Bruce Pulman Park.

It represents the final game of the McNamara Cup season for Sean Polwart’s side, who will have a bye next week before hosting a Plate semi-final in a fortnight.

The Bob Chandler Cup semi-finals will take place this week with top ranked Karaka hosting Manurewa Wise Property Management at Karaka Sports Complex.

Bombay Pokeno Bacon will host Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical in the other semi-final with the two winners advancing to a final at the highest ranked winner’s home ground next weekend.

The two stand-out sides in the Sid Marshall Shield Championship grade run into each other in a battle between two clubs yet to taste defeat in 2021. Te Kauwhata Proclad hosts Drury in what is warming as a prelude to the knock-out games in a couple of weeks.

While those two sides are already confirmed in the semi-finals the winner of Te Kohanga and Patumahoe Village Bar & Grill will join them when they meet at Patumahoe Domain.

Maramarua travels to Papakura Thirsty Liquor needing a win to remain in finals contention while Tuakau hosts Manurewa and Puni hosts Pukekohe in other matches in the grade.

Semi-final bound Papakura Thirsty Liquor hosts Pukekohe in Massey Cup U21 action while Patumahoe CJM Construction travels to Waiuku.

Top-of-the-table Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson hosts Karaka.

Patumahoe Pak N Save Pukekohe could go back to the top of the U85kg standings if they can beat Onewhero while the latter will be looking to book a semi-final spot.

Elsewhere Karaka travels to Papakura Thirsty Liquor while Pukekohe hosts Bombay.