Our feature match on the live stream this weekend sees a top of the table clash in the Gallagher Women’s Premiership between two unbeaten sides – Melville hosting HOB Huskies at Collins Road in what is a rematch of our 2022 Premiership final.

Both sides currently sit atop of the table with University women’s – all three are currently three from three to get their 2023 campaigns underway. Kicking off the weekend with a Friday night match is Kihikihi hosting Otorohanga at 7pm this evening. Hamilton Marist host top of the table University at Marist Park at midday on Saturday in what is going to be a full schedule of afternoon rugby at Old Farm Road. Wrapping up the weekend is Southern United playing host to their neighbours Putaruru with both sides looking for their first wins of the year.

In the Premier Mens Competition unbeaten and top of the table Hamilton Marist hosting cross town rivals Hamilton Old Boys who lost their first game of the year last weekend down in Otorohanga by two points. Second place Hautapu travel into town taking on Melville after a tough fought victory of United Matamata Sports in week four, while Melville who currently sit in ninth on the ladder are looking to bounce back after a home defeat in Week four to University.

University is hosting Fraser Tech at the University and will be fizzing by the return of All Black, Chiefs and Waikato midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown in what will be his first game for his club in eight seasons. Both sides are currently just outside the top five, a win to University will really start to put them in the mix heading into the back half of the first round, while Fraser Tech are chasing their second win of the round to get them back with the chasing pack.

In the final Premier matches of the Otorohanga are back at home for the second consecutive week hosting United Matamata Sports, while Te Awamutu host 10^th place Morrinsville Sports. A victory is crucial for Te Awamutu Sports to get their top five aspirations back on track after back-to-back loses the last two weeks.

All Premier games will kick off at 2.45pm Saturday afternoon, with the Premier B matches kicking off at 1pm.

In the Division one competition top of the table Ohaupo host Suburbs out at the Ohaupo Domain. Suburbs getting their first win of 2023 last week 17-15 over Taupiri. Frankton are hosting fellow city side Te Rapa in what will be a battle of the Rhineck Cup – a challenge trophy played for by city Division 1 clubs when they play each other, whether it is home or away. Te Rapa currently hold that after their week one victory over Suburbs. Taupiri and Hinuera do battle at Murphy Lane in Taupiri with both sides looking for their first win of 2023. Leamington host Pirongia in what is an important match for both sides with a win keeping them at arms lengths of the chasing pack. Wrapping up the Division 1 matches sees Southern United hosting their closest rivals Putaruru which wraps up a big day in Tokoroa with Southern United and Putaruru going head-to-head in both of their respective men’s and women’s competitions. Putaruru who are currently sitting second on the ladder will be chasing their first victory over the men from Tokoroa since prior to 2019.

All Division 1 games kick off at 2.45pm Saturday afternoon, with B games kicking off at 1pm.

The Under 85kg Competition sees Melville hosting Leamington at Collins Road at 11am Saturday in what will kick off Club Day festivities at Collins Road. Melville are currently two from two and play at Collins Road for their first home game of the year after two impressive victories on the road – last week winning 34-8 vs Kio Kio. Fraser Tech who has come within 7 points of victory in their opening two matches host Hamilton Marist, who like Melville remain unbeaten in 2023. The final match up in the Under 85kg Competition sees Morrinsville Sports travel down and take on Kio Kio at home, chasing their first victory in our Waikato Under 85kg Competition.

Colts’ rugby kicks off our weekend with another Friday night under lights clash between Hamilton Old Boys and Hamilton Boys High, that game kicks off at 6.30pm this evening at Willoughby Park. We still currently have five sides in the Colts Competition. Two of those unbeaten teams go head-to-head this weekend when Thames Valley United host Suburbs at Paeroa Domain Saturday afternoon. Other unbeaten sides and top of the table Hamilton Marist host Waitete at Marist Park and Hautapu host Hinuera in Cambridge. Other matches see Leamington host Pirongia in another club v club battle at Leamington Domain – that match will be followed by the Division 1 teams do battle. Morrinsville Sports host Southern United and University host Te Awamutu Sports.

An amendment to a previous article, the Colts competition sees the 16 clubs face off against one and other in a round robin of 15 matches, with the competition been split into groups of four to do play in a traditional semi-final knock out format.

Article added: Friday 28 April 2023