West dominate semi-finals
There will be a distinctly western flavour to this weekend’s club rugby league finals.
Te Atatu, Bay Roskill and Waitemata clash in the Sharman Cup semi-finals while Te Atatu’s women’s team beat out top of the table Point Chevalier 18-14 to advance to the grand final in the Women’s Pennant championship.
Despite the disappointment of Glenora bowing out in the Fox Memorial semi-finals, season 2016 has been one of the most successful to date for the other west Auckland clubs.
After running through the entire regular season undefeated, Te Atatu were upset 21-14 by Waitemata in the first qualifying final. They bounced back to win 54-18 last weekend over Hibiscus Coast to join Waitemata and Bay Roskill in the final four.
They will play Ellerslie at 2.30pm on Saturday, at Ellerslie Domain. However the first semifinal gets under way at 11am and it’s a local darby.
Waitemata will come into their match against Bay Roskill fresh, having earned last week off after beating front runners Te Atatu the week before.
That match to be played at Mt Smart number two.
The winner of the Sharman Cup will gain automatic promotion into next year’s Fox Memorial championship.
Te Atatu’s womens team have this week off while they await the results of the preliminary final to see who they will clash with in next weekend’s grand final.
‘‘We have been building nicely this season and are excited heading into finals’’
Revell Neal