While we all enjoy a long weekend in celebration of Matariki weekend, club rugby marches on. The Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership has reached finals day, while Premier Men & Division One continue their second-round action. Colts & Under 85kg competitions take a pause to enjoy the long weekend with no footy.

Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership

Our big match-up of the weekend is Melville hosting old rivals in Hamilton Old Boys’ Huskies in the Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership Final at Collins Road Saturday afternoon. This will be the seventh consecutive final these two teams have gone head to head in the big dance with the Huskies winning the last three – all of which have been at Willoughby Park. Can Melville keep the streak alive by winning at home in front of their home fans?

Both sides have clearly been the best in the competition for 2024. Melville got that allusive first win over the Huskies early in the competition to give them the upper hand, but the Huskies clawed that defeat back when they upset the front runners Melville back at Collins Road in the second half of the competition. That one defeat to Melville was the Huskies only blemish this season, while Melville also had a tough fought draw vs an impressive Otorohanga side. With that draw, Melville held onto top spot on the ladder earning themselves hosting rights throughout the play-offs.

This game will feature on our Live Stream Saturday afternoon at 1pm so if you cant get to Collins Road, tune into our Waikato Rugby Facebook page and catch all the action live.

Waikato Draught Breweries Shield

Both of our Breweries Shield games are taking place in their traditional Saturday 2.45pm timeslots. Following a draw at home last weekend Hamilton Old Boys will make the trip out to Cambridge and do battle with Hautapu who are coming off a defeat last weekend to top side Hamilton Marist. Both sides have plenty to play for as a victory will likely see either side quality second and host semi-final rugby in a fortnight’s time.

The other match up of the weekend is University making the trip south to Island Reserve. Following a bye last weekend the students are well rested and will be looking forward to get into the winners collum for the second round. Meanwhile Otorohanga are back home following a late draw vs Hamilton Old Boys in town. This will be Otorohanga’s final game of the second round as they finish the round with a bye next week. A win tomorrow will ensure they make the play-offs, while a defeat to University will see them waiting eagerly next weekend and watching how results play out for if they make play-offs or not.

Hamilton Marist will enjoy the long weekend with bye, also knowing they are safe in top spot for another weekend.

Lone Star Championship

The Lone Star Championship kicks off this afternoon as Melville host Te Awamutu Sports at Collins Road. Melville currently sit in second place with two wins from three starts and will wrap up their second round this afternoon as they have the bye next weekend. A win over Te Awamutu Sports will see Melville move top of the table above United Matamata Sports who sit out this weekend with their bye. Te Awamutu returns to action following their bye last weekend and will be looking to go back to back in 2024 since the opening two weekends. Their last outing was a tight 27-24 win over Fraser Tech at home, a win in Hamilton this afternoon will ensure they make the playoffs and will be in contention next weekend for a home semi-final the following weekend.

Morrinsville Sports are back home in front of their loyal supports hosting Fraser Tech at Campbell Park for the second time in 2024. It was Fraser Tech who got up in the first round winning 17-13. Morrinsville Sports are chasing their first win of the season and some wins to end the second round could see them force their way into the play-offs. A defeat will see Morrinsville Sports consigned to the Promotion/Relegation game vs the Mooloo Shield winners in early August.

Division One Mooloo Shield

Mooloo Shield action kicks off Friday afternoon in their second week of the competition with week one winners Hinuera hosting Suburbs at Wealleans Park, while Ohaupo host Putaruru. Hinuera are coming off the back of a good 32-19 road win over Leamington while Suburbs make their second road trip in consecutive weeks after an opening loss to Putaruru 22-18 last weekend.

Ohaupo will be looking to make amends following defeat in their opening match up vs Southern United, but they will face a stern match up in week one winners Putaruru. Ohaupo do have fond memories of hosting Putaruru from their 29-15 win back in early May and will be looking to go two from two vs the Nola Block men.

The final match up in the Mooloo Shield will go down Saturday afternoon when Leamington host Southern United. Leamington are hosting their second match in consecutive weekends and will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to Hinuera. Southern United come to town following their big home win last weekend and will pose a tough challenge for the Cambridge based side.

Division One Championship

Division One Championship action kicked off Thursday evening under lights at Pirongia Domain with the home side hosting Taupiri. Pirongia were coming off a tough opening week loss to Te Rapa in Hamilton, while Taupiri were on a high following a 57-0 win over Kereone. Taupiri made it two from two to open the second round and will head into the long weekend with a 21-13 away win to see them sit top of the Division One Championship – a position they will hold onto for the weekend and their nearest rival Te Rapa have the bye this weekend.

The other match-up has the winless Frankton heading back out to Kereone for their second trip to Morrinsville for the year where Kereone will be looking to double their wins for 2024. Back in early June it was Kereone who got a 50-0 over Frankton in what was their first win back in Division One rugby.

Article added: Friday 28 June 2024