Waikato Draught Breweries Shield Final - Kickoff 2.45pm

The Waikato Draught Breweries Shield goes on the line this weekend when Fraser Tech take on old foes Hamilton Old Boys at Waikato Steel Fabricators Park on Mill Street. 

Both teams victorious after finishing the round robin placed one and two on the ladder, following their bye weekend in the first week of play-offs. Fraser Tech winning a hard-fought battle with cross town rivals University, and Hamilton Old Boys holding on to beat 2021 finalists Hautapu after the strong second half showing from the Cambridge men. 

Hamilton Old Boys will take confidence into this weekend’s fixture being the only side to tip up a strong Fraser Tech outfit in 2022. Last time these two teams played was in late May, where Hamilton Old Boys came out on top 33-25 and with it picking up the Ron Crawford Memorial - a trophy they will keep in the trophy cabinet until 2023. 

Fraser Tech last week put on a comprehensive performance vs the students at the same ground. With the recent run of finals appearances, Fraser Tech will be going for back-to-back title victories for the first time since their 1995/1996 seasons.  

If you can not get to Waikato Steel Fabricators Park this Saturday, be sure to tune into our live stream on our Waikato Rugby Facebook page with live commentary by Graeme 'Mintie' Mead & Waikato legend - Paul Martin.  

Rowe Cup Finals - Kickoff 1.00pm

The Rowe Cup will have a new home in 2022 with 2021 champions Otorohanga missing out to Hamilton Marist last weekend in a very tight battle at Island Reserve. This weekend, Melville will play host to a Hamilton Marist side who is full of confidence following a late season surge. 

Melville, who are currently unbeaten in 2022 head into Saturday’s clash at Collins Road as strong favourites following the season to date, but we all know the rugby ball bounces in funny ways and Hamilton Marist will travel across town full of confidence for another upset victory - their second in consecutive weeks. 

Kick off at Collins Road will be at 1pm. 

Promotion/Relegation Game - Kickoff 2.45pm

Melville play host to our first promotion / relegation fixture for the 2022 season. Hosting a well traveling Southern United side. The men from Tokoroa will be heading into the big smoke taking on Melville at Melville High School at 2.45pm with the victorious earning their spot in the 2023 Premiership. 

Both teams coming off hard loses last weekend - both at home, will be looking to bounce back which is arguably their biggest matches of the 2022 season. 

Southern United were last in the Waikato Premier Competition in 2017, this is their first opportunity to earn that promotion back into the topflight of Waikato Club Rugby.   

Mooloo Shield Round 2 Week 3 Draw Kickoff 2.45pm

Three weeks into the second round of the Mooloo Shield Competition and following an upset last weekend by Ohaupo in Tokoroa we have a very congested points table. Southern United have a BYE this weekend in this competition to take their place in the promotion/relegation fixture. 

Ohaupo host Pirongia with the winner of that fixture going a long way to securing their place for the upcoming finals. Pirongia play their last match of the round as they have the bye in the final week. Needing a victory on Saturday to have a shot at holding onto top two. 

In the other match up Leamington host Taupiri who are coming back following their bye last week. Like Ohaupo & Pirongia, both of these sides are in a real battle for play-off spots chasing SURF who currently head the competition.

Division 1A Championship Captain Compost Cup Round 2 Week 3 Draw Kickoff 2.45pm

Like the Mooloo Shield, table toppers Te Rapa have the bye this weekend, and depending on results over the weekend could see themselves back in the pack with one weekend remaining.

Frankton host Putaruru in Hamilton and Hinuera host their first match in the second round when Suburbs travel out to Hinuera. Putaruru will be playing their last match of the season this weekend when they travel into Hamilton and will look to the end the season on a high following a consistent showing in the first round. 

Under 85kgs Week 11 Draw Kickoff 1.00pm

The feature match of the weekend for the Under 85kg Competition is Morrinsville Sports hosting Melville at Campbell Park in what doubles up as a Waikato Competition and a National U85kg Knock-out fixture. Two sides that currently lead the U85kg competition where both sides have only lost one match all year - Melville's lose coming to Morrinsville in the first round going down 13-22 at Collins Road. 

Melville will be looking to rewrite that this weekend, and with it earning the right to proceed in the National U85kg Competition. 

The other match of the round is Leamington hosting Suburbs in Cambridge. Last time these sides met Suburbs were winners on the day. Both sides battling in the 2022 competition with a couple wins a piece. 

Division 2 Final - Kickoff 2.45pm

The Division 2 competition wraps up in 2022 this weekend when reigning Division 2 champions, HOB Guzzlers take on Hamilton Marist. Earlier in the season these two teams played out a tight battle with the Guzzlers coming out on top. 

A repeat of the 2021 final where again the Guzzlers were victorious, Hamilton Marist will be looking to get revenge on the biggest stage to end their season in the best possible way. 

Article added: Thursday 14 July 2022