An exciting weekend of club rugby is nearly upon us with big matches throughout several different competitions. This weekend sees the start of the Division II, Under 85kg & Women’s Championship competitions, while we have top of the table clashes in the Premier A & B competition, the inaugural Power Farming George Simpkin Memorial, and some traditional rivalries in the Division 1 space.

The Power Farming George Simpkin Memorial goes up for grabs for the first time this weekend when current holders United Matamata Sports host Morrinsville Sports at Bedford Park. The Power Farming George Simpkin Memorial was a trophy introduced at the end of 2022 for the country-based clubs to challenge for throughout the regular season. As George Simpkin was a proud Matamata man, it was only fitting that United Matamata Sports started with the trophy that holds his name. Both teams currently looking to get their first win of the 2023 season and with that they will take home and be first club to ‘win’ the trophy. That game will be at Bedford Park at 2.45pm Saturday afternoon.

Our other feature match in the Premiership sees a top of the table clash between Hamilton Old Boys and Te Awamutu Sports at Fred Jones Park. Both sides have managed two bonus point victories and sit on 10 points respectively on the ladder. Te Awamutu Sports got a good win at Fred Jones Park in 2022 and will take that confidence into this fixture. With leading points scorer Sam Toa also returning to Fred Jones Park for his return match back at his old home club, before making a shift up to North Harbour, and returning to the Waikato, this time landing in Te Awamutu Sports colours. Hamilton Old Boys, the current holders of the Stag Trophy won’t be putting that up for grabs this weekend but will be looking to give their supporters another dose of quality footy for their second home game in 2023.

Other premier matches see University host Otorohanga at University Complex. University will be looking for their first victory of the season and will back themselves to upset an inform Otorohanga side. Meanwhile, Otorohanga come to the city for the second week in a row knowing a victory will keep them well inside the top four after three weeks after two big away trips. Fraser Tech host Hautapu at Waikato Steel Fabricators Park. Like University, Fraser Tech are after their first win of the year and will give themselves a good shot taking on Hautapu at home. Finally, after a big weekend celebrating 100years, Hamilton Marist host Melville at Marist Park. Hamilton Marist remains unbeaten after two weeks and will be keen to make it three from three to ensure they remain inside the top four during the early rounds.

Its an impossible task, but all our Division 1 match ups this week are ones to watch. After their opening round on April fools’ day and a week off for Easter, all these teams will be excited to get back out on the field and either make a mends for a first up lose in week 1, or get back to back victories to kick off their season. In the case of Putaruru and Leamington who battled out an 8 all draw in week one, both teams will be after a good win at home in front of home fans. Last year’s finalists and two teams who have formed a good strong rivalry over recent seasons, sees Leamington host Southern United at Leamington Domain. The last time these teams played saw the men from SURF upset the home fans in Cambridge winning the Division 1 final for 2022. Leamington will be excited been back home for their first game in 2023 and will be putting on a good display for their home fans.

In other match ups Te Rapa travel north to Murphy Lane and take on Taupiri. Te Rapa will look to back up a good home win in week one, while Taupiri host their first home game of the year and be keen for a victory to kick start their season. Frankton travel down to Putaruru with both sides looks for their first wins after Putaruru drew at home to Leamington and Frankton had a close affair with Ohaupo. Ohaupo host Hinuera at Ohaupo Domain and Pirongia host Suburbs to wrap up the weekends Division 1 action.

Women’s Premiership returns after a long weekend break with a double header match up at the University where their Women also host Otorohanga. Both sides undefeated after week one, and with a victory on the weekend will ensure their spot inside the top half of the ladder. Hamilton Marist host Putaruru at Marist Park, both sides coming off loses in week will be eager to get the season back on track with a victory on Saturday. Melville face a strong Southern United side who played a positive brand of rugby in week one down in Otorohanga and will be looking for another step up in that performance. The last match up of the weekend is Kihikihi playing host to Hamilton Old Boys Huskies. Big weekend in Kihikihi with both their women’s and men’s Division 2 sides playing at Kihikihi for the first time this season.

The Under 85kg Competition will be a tightly contested thing in 2023, six teams have entered our competition, with five of those also entering the U85kg National Club Cup Competition. We have our five Waikato based sides, and newbies in 2023 sees Kio Kio United joining our competition for the first time. Week 1 sees Fraser Tech hosting Melville at Elliott Park, Hamilton Marist host Morrinsville Sports at Marist Park and Kio Kio United host their first home game vs Leamington. The competition will be played across 10 weekends – a home and away format. Within that, teams will take two weeks off on the upcoming long weekends, and in those weekends, they will play in the National Competition.

Like the Under 85kg Competition, the Division 2 Competition kicks off this weekend. Seven teams will battle it out for the 2023 Division 2 Championship. This weekend defending champions Hamilton Marist host Jaradites at Marist Park to round out a jammed packed afternoon of rugby at Marist Park, while Kereone host Southern United in Morrinsville, and wrapping up the week’s footy sees Kihikihi host Hamilton Old Boys Guzzlers.

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Article added: Thursday 13 April 2023