Penultimate round brings extra pressure
It's the penultimate round of the Jubilee Cup and there is real pressure on teams to confirm their place in the Top-4. It'll be a big weekend for Ories, Norths and Wainui who are desperate to stay in playoff contention. OBU look set to get a home semi-final and they'll be focused on maintaining top position, while MSP look strong in second position. It's all to play for!
The Premier Reserve competition- the Ed Chaney Cup- is equally competitive. OBU currently hold a 4-point lead over Tawa, followed closely by MSP and Petone. The Petone v HOBM match will be significant, as 4th plays 5th on the table.
In women's competitions, Ories will be looking to seal the Victoria Tavern Trophy with victory against MSP. They currently hold a 6-point advantage over Norths. Petone remain unbeaten in the senior women's grade and they have an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Poneke. Congratulations!
The Colts competitions are as competitive as ever. Tawa continue to hold onto first place in the Les Mills John E Kelly Memorial Cup, followed closely by Petone. There is also a bit of a logjam in mid-table. In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup, Upper Hutt hold onto first place and there is a bit of a fight going on for fourth place.
Jubilee Cup- What your team needs to do
Old Boys University- 1st Position, 20 points
Final two games: Wainui (away) MSP (away)
OBU have two tough fixtures to finish up with although they look likely to at least gain a home semi-final. The Goats lead the competition in tries scored this season and it's hard to find many weaknesses in this well-balanced team. One win out of the final two should assure them of a semi-final, possibly at home.
Marist St Pats- 2nd position, 16 points
Final two games: Norths (away) OBU (home)
MSP also have a tough run in, against two in-form sides. Depending on other results, one win from the final two should be enough to gain a playoff spot although they'll be focused on gaining home advantage. The final fixture will be crucial.
Hutt Old Boys Marist- 3rd equal position, 13 points
Final two games: Petone (home) Tawa (home)
Things are much less certain for the Eagles, who are equal on the table with Tawa and only narrowly lead the chasing pack. While a result may not be an absolute must, it'd certainly make life a lot easier heading into the final round.
Tawa- 3rd equal position, 13 points
Final two games: Ories (home) HOBM (away)
Tawa have a very similar outlook to HOBM. A loss this weekend won't put them out of the running but it'll reduce the pressure on points in the final round. Watch out for James So'oialo who is currently the leading points-scorer in the competition.
Norths- 5th equal position, 11 points
Final two games: MSP (home) Wainui (home)
Norths form part of the chasing pack trying to sneak into the Top-4. Norths will almost certainly need to win both of their games to secure a play-off spot, unless other results go their way. They'll be confident following a big victory last weekend, so it'll be all on at Porirua Park.
Ories- 5th equal position, 11 points
Final two games: Tawa (away) Petone (home)
Much like Norths, Ories can't really afford to slip up in their last two matches. If they can secure a win this weekend, they'll be quietly confident heading into the final round against bottom-placed Petone at home.
Wainui, 7th position, 10 points
Final two games: OBU (home) Norths (away)
Wainui have an outside chance but they'll definitely need to secure two wins from two. It's a tough ask, against two quality teams. If they can secure 4-points against OBU and other results work in their favour, they are right back in the mix.
Petone, 8th position, 3 points
Final two games: HOBM (away) Ories (away)
While still in with a slim mathematical chance of a playoff spot (going by my very rough estimations), Petone will be more focused on securing their first win following a challenging season. They've had their chances to secure wins but haven't quite had the rub of the green.
Hardham Cup
Avalon (5th) v Johnsonville (1st)
Johnsonville have played great rugby so far this season, having found a way to utilize their talented backline. Watch out for the competitions leading try-scorer Jacob Walmsley, who has been strong all year. Avalon will be desperate to emerge out of the bottom-half of the table and shouldn't be written off.
Paremata-Plimmerton (6TH) v Upper Hutt Rams (2nd)
Expect a big turnaround from the Rams, who will have been disappointed to narrowly lose last week's crunch match against Johnsonville. The Rams have a strong team, led by their talented loose-forward trio and fast backs. Paremata-Plimmerton will need every bit of their home support to put up a decent fight.
Wellington (4th) v Poneke (3rd)
This should be a great mid-table tussle, as two proud clubs look for a strong finish to their respective seasons. Watch out for Poneke's Nick Robertson, who has scored four tries already this season. Just a reminder that this match will now be at Kilbirnie Park.
Women's Rugby
In the Victoria Tavern Trophy, Ories host MSP and Norths play Wainui. In the Second Division competition, Paremata-Plimmerton play Tawa and HOBM host Poneke.
Colts Competition
In the Les Mills John E Kelly Memorial Cup, Tawa play Ories and HOBM host Petone. In other matches, Paremata-Plimmerton play OBU Green and Norths host MSP.
In the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup, Avalon play Wainui and Upper Hutt host Wellington. Finally, Kapiti host Poneke.
