Following the opening month our weekly previews are back for 2025. We have had a mixture of fixtures over the opening weeks with the public holidays and matches been played from Thursday nights through to early Saturday evenings.

This week we will preview the Waikato Draught Men’s Premiership, Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership & Division 1 Competitions, while touching on some of the big match ups in our other competitions across the Waikato.

Waikato Draught Men’s Premiership

Te Awamutu Sports vs Melville

Te Awamutu Sports – currently in 6^th place with 10 points, will look to continue to build on their previous two weeks form and look to make it three wins on the bounce. A last-minute win in Hamilton last week over Fraser Tech has seen a resurgence in form following the opening two-week defeats. Melville are still searching for that allusive first win of 2025. Coming off a big defeat last week to Hautapu in Cambridge the Melville men will head south to Te Awamutu looking to regain some of that form from 2024.

Expect a tight, physical contest with Te Awamutu slight favourites on home turf.

Hamilton Old Boys vs Hamilton Marist

A blockbuster showdown sees old foes go head-to-head for the first time since last years semi-final clash at Marist Park. Marist have been dominant in the opening rounds, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive resilience. Hamilton Old Boys are coming off a big win over in Matamata and will back themselves back at home to get up for this traditional derby game. This could be a must watch if you are in Hamilton.  

University vs Fraser Tech

Both sides currently sitting inside the top 5 this will be a evenly contested match at the University Saturday afternoon. Fraser Tech will be looking to bounce back from last minute heartache loss last weekend where they looked in control of their match vs Te Awamutu Sports. While the University men are back home following a hard fought win in Morrinsville last  weekend, another win over Fraser Tech will see them immerse themselves well inside the top 4 just over a month into the season.

Otorohanga vs Morrinsville Sports

This is a critical mid-table clash for Otorohanga as they face bottom-placed Morrinsville Sports at Island Reserve. Like Melville, Morrinsville are chasing that first win in 2025 – while they have produced quality pieces week in week out, they are chasing that complete 80minute performance where they can put a team away and come home with the spoils.
Otorohanga are looking forward to getting back home where they have recorded there only victory for 2025. They will pose a tough challenge for Morrinsville Sports.

United Matamata Sports vs Hautapu

United Matamata Sports come up against a dangerous Hautapu side at Bedford Park in Matamata. Hautapu has shown consistency with three wins from four with an impressive home win last weekend over Melville clocking up 90 points. Matamata are at home for the second consecutive weekend and will be keen to impress the loyal home supporters following a tough loss at home to Hamilton Old Boys.

Expect an open game here with plenty of attack and an inform Hautapu side coming to town looking to keep pace with competition leaders Hamilton Marist.

Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership

Week four in our Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership sees a range of fixtures Saturday afternoon.

Melville vs Hautapu

Top of the table Melville with three wins from three starts travel out to Cambridge to square off 2025 newcomers Hautapu. Hautapu currently sitting inside the top 4 in third place which will be a surprise to a few.  Melville have been impressive on attack in 2025 showing real attacking flair, while also only conceding 10 points in their opening week one clash – the remaining two matches keeping both sides scoreless.

Kihikihi vs Hamilton Old Boys

Kihikihi are back home for a second consecutive weekend and will look to bounce back from a tough ANZAC weekend defeat – this weekend hosting fellow table toppers Hamilton Old Boys who are also three wins from three starts. Kihikihi will have their backs against the wall and will need a well improved performance while the Hamilton Old Boys ladies will be eager to keep tabs with Melville and remain top of the table with the 2024 defending champions.

Otorohanga vs University

Our final Women’s Premiership clash sees Otorohanga hosting University down at Island Reserve in what is a full house of matches down on Island Reserve Saturday afternoon. Both sides even in points on the ladder with 1 win 2 loss record will be keen to push their claim for a top 4 spot as we approach the midway point of the season. University will be filled with confidence following a close to Hamilton Old Boys last weekend and will back themselves to make the trip south to tip up the home side.

Division 1 Competition

Taupiri v Suburbs

A mid-table clash sees seventh placed Taupiri host fifth placed Suburbs – Taupiri had the opening weekend BYE so do have a game in hand. They will be looking to build on their season and get back home after a tough loss against Te Rapa last weekend in Hamilton. 2024 Champions Suburbs will be looking to bounce back from their home loss last weekend when Southern United came to town and spoiled that Flagstaff Park party. Suburbs have started the year with two wins, a draw and their first loss last weekend so they will be keen to get their season back on track and get another win on board up north in Taupiri.

Frankton v Pirongia

Division 1 battlers Frankton are back home this weekend after an unsuccessful road trip out to Ohaupo last weekend and will host Pirongia this weekend. Frankton are currently winless from their four starts and will be looking forward to hosting eighth placed Pirongia who have also had a rocky start only winning one for their three matches after a week 2 BYE. Based on recent form you would be a brave person to put your money on a Frankton win and Pirongia should be too strong here.

Hinuera v Leamington

This will be another tight battle. Sixth placed Hinuera host third placed Leamington. Like Taupiri and Pirongia have already had their BYE and currently have a 2-win 1 loss record after three matches, while Leamington have a 3-win 1 loss record from their four starts. This matchup is always a tight battle between two strong squads and the 2025 edition is shaping up to be very similar.

Te Rapa v Ohaupo

Arguably the most evenly match of the weekend sees 2^nd place Te Rapa host 4^th placed Ohaupo – both sides boasting a three-win one loss record in the opening four weeks and separated by a couple bonus points. Te Rapa could be the surprise package in 2025, battling throughout 2024 winning the 7^th placed prize of the Division 1 Championship, they have picked up new head coach Charlie Ngatai and by all accounts have turned a new page in 2025. Currently undefeated at home in 2025 Te Rapa will be keen to continue that momentum, meanwhile Ohaupo come to town off the back of a big home win vs Frankton last weekend. This game is tough to call and will be a great watch at St Andrews Park Saturday afternoon.

Kereone v Putaruru

Our final Division 1 previews see Kereone v Putaruru at Campbell Park in Morrinsville. Kereone are chasing that first win in 2025 and could fancy themselves vs the battling Putaruru side who currently only sit in fourth place – also winless in 2025 with their best result been a draw vs Suburbs in week 2. This will be a tough tightly fought contest and will be worth the look if you’re in Morrinsville.

Waitomo Group Women’s Championship

Week 4 in the Waitomo Group Women’s Championship kicks off Friday night when Pirongia host Putaruru at Pirongia Domain. Both sides have two very different starts to the season – Putaruru winning three from three, while Pirongia will look to record their first win of the year.

Saturday afternoon sees Hamilton Marist host Taupiri – both sides currently sitting inside the top four and will be keen to keep that spot come weekends end. United Matamata Sports who sit third welcome Waitete to Matamata with Waitete just sitting outside the top 4, a win for the Waitete ladies could see them move into the top 4 while Matamata will look to remain undefeated at home in 2025.
Finally, the last match has seen Hinuera default their game to Suburbs on Saturday afternoon. .

Under 21s Competition

Two sides remain undefeated in the Under 21s competition in 2025 – Hautapu and Hamilton Old Boys, with a chasing pack of Hamilton Marist, Thames Valleys Rugby United, University, Morrinsville & Suburbs all boasting a two win one loss record to start 2025. Arguably the tightest start to an Under 21s competition for a number of seasons.

Saturday afternoon sees a number of those teams square off making for an exciting weekend of Under 21s rugby.

University host Hautapu at University while Morrinsville Sports make the trip to Paeroa to do battle vs Thames Valley Rugby United. Hinuera kicks off a big afternoon of rugby at Wealleans Park when they welcome Leamington in what is a big Hinuera v Leamington club day. Hamilton Marist are at home for a second consecutive week and will be looking to bounce back from their shock defeat to Hamilton Old Boys last weekend when they host Pirongia.

Suburbs welcome Te Awamutu Sports to Flagstaff Park where the young men from Te Awamutu chase their first win for 2025 and Suburbs will be keen to keep pace with early competition pace setters – they also have a game in hand so nothing to be worried about as a Suburbs supporter. The final match up is Fraser Tech hosting across the road rivals Hamilton Old Boys at Mill Street. You would think Hamilton Old Boys will be too strong but you never know when you have an Old Boys vs Tech match on the cards.

Under 85kg Competition

Three of our four Waikato teams are on the road north this weekend. Leamington / Kio Kio Cattle Dogs travel up to Karaka and do battle vs the Karaka men who currently sit in third place while the Cattle Dogs sit in ninth.

Like the Cattle Dogs Fraser Tech and Hamilton Marist make the trip north – Fraser Tech playing Patumahoe while Hamilton Marist will face Beachland’s. Both Tech & Marist sit above their respective opposition on the ladder and will fancy themselves to go north and pick up a W but only time will tell.

Our final match up is Morrinsville Sports – currently second on the ladder, welcome Bombay to town. Bombay still winless in 2025 and will face a stern challenge travelling down to Morrinsville.

Article added: Wednesday 30 April 2025