Mount Maunganui prop Caleb Oaks crashes into a Rangataua defender. Photo/Andrew Warner
Mount Maunganui prop Caleb Oaks crashes into a Rangataua defender. Photo/Andrew Warner
Five into four does not go, meaning the final round of the Bayfair Baywide premier club rugby competition is set to be a cracker.
The top five sides -Te Puke Sports, Whakarewarewa, Greerton Marist, Tauranga Sports and Mount Maunganui - all recorded routine four-try bonus point victories in round 17to set up a promoter's dream next Saturday. Only competition leaders Te Puke Sports are assured of a place in the post-season, but even they need a win in the final round against neighbours Rangiuru to ensure a home semifinal.
Rangiuru will be relegated on the fulltime whistle so will have nothing to lose following the short walk from Centennial Park to Murray Salt Stadium.
It is the matches between teams placed second through fifth on the table that will decide the semifinal places.
Whakarewarewa, fresh from a 50-5 hiding of Rangiuru, will be without Pomare Pirini when they host Mount Maunganui at Puarenga Park.
The openside flanker received two yellow cards against Rangiuru - the first following a large scuffle just before halftime and the second due to a high tackle - so will be automatically stood down.
The Mount will be chasing a four-try bonus point to increase their chances of earning a home semifinal, and could be well served by deploying a spy to Tauranga Domain for defending champion Tauranga Sports' match against surging Greerton Marist.
Sports are tied for second place with the Mount, but will be wary of a side on a five-match winning streak.
