Hamersley semifinal spots go to wire
The Hamersley Cup senior rugby championship is set for its most exciting finish to the round robin in years.
Three teams Harlequins, Temuka and defending champions Celtic all have the chance to finish in top spot with three rounds left.
Only three points separates the top sides with Temuka on 44, Harlequins on 43 and Celtic on 42.
Second spot is just as important as the semi-final format sees the top two sides play-off, with the winner through to the grand final.
The loser of that game faces the winner of play-off between third and fourth.
No team, since the new format has been introduced, has claimed the title from third or fourth, as it takes three wins on the trot to lift the silverware.
That makes tomorrow’s clash between Temuka and Celtic very important as the loser could well face that fate.
Last time they met Celtic dominated the forward exchanges at key times but the Magpies showed plenty of flair when they gave the ball some air..
Celtic have a headache created with their regular goal kicker still away in Ireland after getting married and No.8 Tom Fleming has headed to Russia for the same reason.
A lot of the defending champions plays were based around the in-form Fleming, who has carried the ball very well.
On the positive side of the ledger, Heartland lock Will Joines is back in action and talented Kerry O’Connor will likely replace Fleming at the back of the scrum.
Celtic co-coach Shaun Breen is expecting a battle against the Magpies.
‘‘Temuka have a strong pack and an excellent winger in Kalavini Leatigaga. Keith Darby is an excellent loose forward so they have plenty to offer.
‘‘We have been watching a few videos of them.’’
Breen said he was well aware how important it was to finish in the top two.
Temuka coach Dave Fisher said the key was to match Celtic up front.
‘‘We also need to hang on to the ball and cut down our error rate.’’
Fisher said he expected to have a full strength side and was well aware of the significance of the game.
‘‘This is the time of year Celtic usually hit their straps and no-one wants to end up in third place.’’
Last time they met in round five at Temuka, Celtic held on to win 28-24 after the Magpies came storming back.
With the closeness of the competition the final rankings could even come down to bonus points collected in the last three games.
Mackenzie are favoured to grab fourth spot over Pleasant Point to squeeze into the semis if they can put away Waimate on Saturday, but they can’t catch the front runners.
Playing at Manchester Park is however never easy and Waimate would love to grab an upset after a below par season with only two wins, which bring the Mud Dogs back into contention.
After Temuka Celtic face a resurgent Pleasant Point outfit and then Waimate in their final game.
Temuka should be too good for Old Boys and Geraldine but a loss to Celtic could hand the advantage to Harlequins.
Harlequins don’t have an easy run home either but on form should get past Pleasant Point, Waimate and Mackenzie.
The high flying Rams looked certainties for the top four early in the season, but losing five competition points for playing a non transferred player cost them dearly and their recent form has been patchy.
After Waimate they face Geraldine, a side capable of an upset, and the final game against Harlequins, which could be another crucial encounter for both sides.