Pressure on as Finals Race Heats Up

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega is hoping to get a drink at the last chance saloon on Saturday as they host Manurewa Kidd Contracting in a must-win game if they are to make the McNamara Cup semi-finals.

Sean Polwart’s side needs to win their three remaining matches – against the competition heavyweights Manurewa, Ardmore Marist and Karaka – while hoping fourth-placed Patumahoe loses their last three matches against the same opposition.

“Last weekend was bitterly disappointing for us after a month of really gutsy performances,” Polwart said. “We came out flat and lifeless – credit to Patty, who played a great game.

“It is really important that we take the learnings and bounce back to put in a performance against a tough Manurewa pack that our sponsors, supporters and family can be proud.”

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel heads up the road to Karaka this week for our livestreamed fixture.

The two sides played out an entertaining round one match a fortnight ago with Karaka always a step ahead.

But Patumahoe impressed in their crucial win over Pukekohe last week and will look to carry that form into the business end of the season.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors has the bye in the McNamara Cup Premiership section.

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil are back home at Rugby Park and square-off against Onewhero Summit Homes.

Waiuku are guaranteed a semi-final berth in the Plate section.

“Our first priority is to win this game and get a good start,” Waiuku coach Peter Nock said. “The bye was good for us and, being the long weekend, the boys took a break but now it is time they have got to step up and get back into our rhythm of playing our style.”

Meanwhile Onewhero will be desperate to record a third successive win and go a long way to securing their own semi-final spot.

Weymouth host Papakura Thirsty Liquor at Laurie Gibbons Reserve in the final match of the round.

Papakura, who are in a showdown with Onewhero for the final semi-final spot can ill-afford a slip-up against a Weymouth outfit that continues to show some ticker, having pushed Onewhero hard up the hill last week.

First-placed Karaka hosts third-placed Manurewa Wise Property Management in Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves action.

Bombay Pokeno Bacon will look to bounce back from their loss last week when they take on Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields while a key game looms for fourth-placed Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical and fifth-place Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson at Bruce Pulman Park. Eight points separate the two sides at present and a Patumahoe win will make it an unassailable gap.

The impressive Drury outfit will put their unbeaten Sid Marshall Shield Championship record on the line against neighbours Papakura Thirsty Liquor. Te Kauwhata Proclad take their unbeaten record on the road to Puni while Patumahoe Village Bar & Grill heads to the in-form Maramarua.

Te Kohanga and Tuakau will battle out a thrilling local derby over the river in Te Kohanga while Pukekohe hosts Manurewa.

The Massey Cup U21 grade gets back underway after a week off with Karaka hosting Pukekohe in the Counties Power Game of the Week.

Pukekohe sits in fourth place while Karaka is fifth with some work to do to edge their rivals for a semi-final berth.

The difference is nine competition points and with only four games remaining, Karaka has to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Patumahoe CJM Construction hosts Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson in a battle of two of the leading sides. Elsewhere Waiuku travels to Papakura Thirsty Liquor.

There are just two games in the U85kg grade this weekend with Beachlands Maraetai hosting Pukekohe at Te Puru Park while Papakura Thirsty Liquor travels to Bombay.

Patumahoe Pak N Save Pukekohe, Onewhero and Waiuku all have byes while Karaka plays the University Squids in the NZ Barbarians Cup competition.

The Manurewa Women hosts Marist at Mountfort Park in Premier action while Papakura Thirsty Liquor hosts Waitemata at Massey Park.

Patumahoe Searle Group has the bye in the 10-a-side competition.