Gallagher Women’s Premiership Semi-Finals Kick-off 1.00pm

The Gallagher Women’s Premiership heads into Semi-finals this weekend and see top of the table with 9 wins from 9 starts Hamilton Old Boys Huskies hosting Otorohanga, who round out the competition with a 6 and 3 record – those three loses coming in the first 3 weeks of the competition. These two sides played each other way back in week 1 where the Huskies were comfortable winners. Otorohanga will be heading to Willoughby Park with confidence on a 6-game winning streak and will be looking to cause arguably the upset of the year. 

Our second Premiership semi-final sees Melville hosting Kihikihi. For the last few years Melville have been the benchmark of Women’s Rugby in the Waikato, cultivating an impressive record over recent seasons. They have been building well in 2022, with the one hiccup coming in week 4 to the Huskies, Melville have been strong and have earnt the right this weekend to host the second semi-final.

Early on Kihikihi battled away to win their first five matches before facing some stiff competition with Melville, Huskies & Otorohanga in consecutive week through the later end of the regular season. Kihikihi head to Collins Road for a rematch of their week 6 clash where Melville won 37-10. 

Championship semi-finals sees 5th placed Putaruru hosting neighbours Southern United (8th) and Hamilton Marist (6th) host University (7th) at Marist Park. Those two winners will do battle one last time next weekend on the 25th of July for the Women’s Championship 2022 title. 

Waikato Draught Premiership A Week 8 Kick-off A’s 2.45pm, B’s 1.00pm

Two big weeks left in the Waikato Draught Premiership for 2022 with a tight battle for teams currently ranked 4th to 8th all battling for that allusive spot inside the top 6. This weekend University host Te Awamutu Sport in a big game for the students who are looking to find that early season form and get back into the Top 6, meanwhile Te Awamutu Sports are looking to secure their spot in the top 4 after a last-minute defeat to Fraser Tech last weekend - a win would nearly guarantee Te Awamutu Sports finals rugby for the first time in a few years. 

Other top 6 contenders for 2022 see United Matamata Sports hosting Hamilton Marist on their sponsors day at Bedford Park. Hamilton Marist is travelling well so far in 2022 with the one defeat and an early season draw to University - since then they are unbeaten. Matamata who has being arguably the surprise in 2022 will take on Marist at a packed house Bedford to maintain their top 6 aspirations. 

Other matches in Week 8 see Morrinsville Sports host Hamilton Old Boys, Fraser Tech hosting cross town rivals Melville and Hautapu hosting Otorohanga at Memorial Park in Cambridge. 

Lone Star Rototuna Division 1 Week 9 Kick-off A’s 2.45pm, B’s 1.00pm

Saturday sees the curtain come down on the first round of the Division 1 competition for 2022 before the teams split into a Top 5 & Bottom 5 format for Round 2. Round 2 will see teams play the other 4 teams in their respective group + a bye week. Table toppers Southern United maintained their fine season last weekend with a comprehensive victory and have secured top spot to finish Round 1 has our highest ranked side. This weekend Southern United head to Hinuera who with an upset victory and some other results going their way, Hinuera could get into the Top 5. 

Division 1s other form side of 2022 is Ohaupo who have claimed some big upsets in season 2022. This weekend they travel to Putaruru looking to keep hold of 2nd spot ahead of a Leamington looking to claim that promotion relegation game spot. Putaruru will be in the bottom 5 for Round 2 but will be looking for a good win in front of their home fans to finish round 1. Our final big clash of the weekend sees Suburbs hosting Leamington. Like Hinuera, Suburbs could force their way into the Top 5 with a couple more results going their way. Leamington will need to get a victory at Flagstaff Park and will be hoping Putaruru can beat Ohaupo to get that play-off spot vs Southern United to do battle to see who the 2022 Division 1 team will be to challenge for Premiership promotion. 

Other matches in Division 1 have Pirongia hosting Te Rapa and Frankton going up SH 1 to Murphy Lane in Taupiri. With a victory, Taupiri will wrap up top 5 leaving Suburbs and Hinuera in the Bottom 5 for Round 2. 

Under 85kgs Week 9 Kick-off 1.00pm

Only two games in the U85kg competition this weekend. Fraser Tech host cross town rivals Hamilton Marist at Elliott Park in a battle between 3rd & 4th. Fraser Tech potentially have one eye on their fixture next weekend in the National U85kg Knock-out competition so Hamilton Marist will head across town looking to capitalise on their recent good form of late and get a bit of payback from there week 2 match where Fraser Tech won 17 - 10. 

In the other match of the round sees Leamington host 2nd ranked Melville out at Leamington Domain. These two sides also played in week 2 with Melville taking out a comfortable victory. Leamington will be looking for a better showing from that performance and get another victory under their belts for season 2022.  

Article added: Thursday 16 June 2022