Another weekend is upon us, with a sole Colts match between University & Hamilton Boys High kicking off our weekends round of rugby. A tricky week for some teams and clubs with a number of ground closures across the region - a good opportunity for teams to get some rest or did they head indoors in preparation for what is a massive weekend of rugby for some sides. 

Week 7 of our Men's Premiership competition and we are now in must win territory for some of those sides. One of those is Fraser Tech who host Otorohanga at Mill Street. Fraser Tech currently sit in 8th spot on the ladder on 10 points, only 6 outside the top 5, a win vs third place Otorohanga (23points) will really get them back into contention with two more weeks in the first round to go. Otorohanga are travelling well with their sole loss coming a month ago vs University in Hamilton. A win this weekend for Otorohanga will really set them up for two home games to finish off the first round. 

United Matamata Sports, like Fraser Tech, are chasing that 5th place on the ladder. They currently are 6th on 13 points only 3 points behind Te Awamutu Sports. They host Hamilton Old Boys at Bedford Park this week and will back themselves for arguably an upset win. Close loses to Hamilton Marist, Hautapu & Otorohanga - all within 7 points, United Matamata Sports have shown they are no easy beats and Hamilton Old Boys will need to perform away from home to get the W. 

Te Awamutu Sports - currently 5th on the ladder and need to win to keep that chasing group at bay, host struggling Melville at Albert Park. Melville with a sole win in 2023 back in week 1 vs Morrinsville Sports will travel to Te Awamutu looking to upset the home fans and really tighten the screws on that mid table. University host Morrinsville Sports at University where University will be chasing a home victory to keep them in the hunt for 5th place. 

Our final Premier match of the weekend is our live stream feature game between top of the table Hamilton Marist who travel out to Cambridge and take on Hautapu. Hamilton Marist are the sole undefeated side in 2023, while Hautapu's only defeat came in week 1 of the competition going down by two points to Otorohanga at the Island Reserve. Hamilton Marist see the return of Wharenui Hawera following a week off last week while Hautapu Sports will be hoping to have the services of Chiefs & Waikato players Laghlan McWhannell & Hamilton Burr. Tune in to our Waikato Rugby Facebook live stream Saturday afternoon at 2.45pm to see this blockbuster clash. 

Our Gallagher Women's Premiership has an unbelievable weekend ahead. Top of the table Huskies travel across town to take on fellow undefeated side and second place University, while third place Melville host the ladies from Kihikihi - the winner of both of those matches will jump ahead of their opposition to finish off the weekend and be in a good position with only a few weeks to go. Kihikihi who have not beaten Melville in recent history will be hoping to field the same side as last weekend with a couple of current and former Black Ferns lining up for them and will be confident heading into town for this fixture. Huskies have had the edge over University in recent seasons, but this would be University's best season for a number of years so could 2023 be the year of what would be a huge upset?

Fifth placed Otorohanga play host to Putaruru while Hamilton Marist host Southern United. Again, two big fixtures that will have implications come play-offs for those bottom four sides. 

Division 1 sees four teams on 14 points from third place Putaruru to sixth placed Te Rapa. Leamington is now the only unbeaten side with Ohaupo having their first defeat last weekend at Pirongia. With four more weeks in this round 1, the race for the Top 5 is fierce. In a 2v3 clash Putaruru host Ohaupo at Nola Block where the winner will go a long way to holding onto a top 5 spot, while the loser will need another victory or two in the last few weeks. Top of the table Leamington head into Hamilton to play 6th placed Te Rapa. Leamington who has not lost to Te Rapa since prior to 2019 will back themselves coming into town and remaining top of the table for another weekend. Te Rapa will have other ideas with one of their best starts to a season in a long time and will be confident of causing the upset of the round. The only side still to clock up a victory is Taupiri who after their draw last week to high flying Putaruru will be excited to get back home hosting Pirongia. Frankton arguably have the toughest match of the round when they host Southern United who are on a three-game winning streak while Frankton have had a couple close loses will really need to fire to upset the Tokoroa men on Saturday. 

The final Division 1 match of the round shapes up to be another tight affair. Eighth placed Suburbs host seventh placed Hinuera where the winner will remain in contention for a Top 5 spot, while the loser will need some results go their way in the last three weeks and will need to win a majority of those. 

Our other live stream game of the weekend comes from Hautapu when their colts open up the double header playing host to Suburbs. Hautapu who sit second with 5/5 host an impressive Suburbs side who return to Colt’s rugby after a couple seasons away from the competition - they have started with a 3/2 win lose record with a number of those matches of a Friday under lights. The Suburbs boys are looking forward with fingers crossed for a sunny Saturday afternoon and getting some sun on their backs - maybe even chuck on some sunblock. Fellow top of the table sides Hamilton Marist (1st) host Te Awamutu Sports while Hamilton Old Boys (3rd) host Pirongia and Morrinsville Sports (4th) host neighbours United Matamata.  Both TA Sports & Pirongia sit mid-table and will be up against the two strong Hamilton based sides. Waitete host Southern United, Leamington host Thames Valley United and Fraser Tech welcome Hinuera to town. 

Under 85kg Competition returns following a week off last weekend for the teams to participate in the National U85kg Club Cup Competition. Another top of the table battle features this weekend in this competition when top placed Melville travels out to battle Morrinsville Sports. Over the last two seasons these teams have played each other four times, with a 2win 2 lose record taking home a win a piece each year. This is the first time in 2023 these sides go head-to-head so will be a great match to get along and check out if you’re in the area. 

Hamilton Marist host Kio Kio United at Marist Park alongside their Colts & Women's side which will see three games feature at Hamilton Marist. Kio Kio United - newcomers to the Waikato Competition in 2023 have battled in their first month and will face a strong Marist side well rested after the week off last week. The final match sees Fraser Tech host Leamington in a 4th v 5th clash. If Leamington can get a win in Hamilton, they will jump the Hamilton side and finish the weekend in fourth place. 

Article added: Thursday 11 May 2023