Semifinal time for Otumoetai Eels

PLAYMAKER: Josh Weedon in action for Otumoetai Eels. PHOTO/FILE A_140516aw03bop

After finishing fourth in the round, Otumoetai Eels premiers travel to Resthills Park Hamilton tomorrow to try to break the stranglehold top qualifiers Hamilton City Tigers has held over the entire competition in this weekend's Cross Country Rentals Waicoabay Premier grade semifinals.

Hamilton City will be going into the match as heavy favourites after retaining their unbeaten record for the entire 18 rounds.

Eels coach Stan Nicholas knows its going to be a huge task to tip the 2015 Waikato champions over but is quietly confident his team can cause the upset after two close losses throughout their round robin encounters which they actually dominated long periods of those encounters.

"We are champing at the bit to get another shot at them but know that we have to take our A game to them for the full 80 minutes, anything less will mean us coming home with nothing," he said.

"We will again be led around the park by captain and maestro half Josh Weeden, we have the backs and forwards to implement our set plays and game plan and its just going to be who wants it the most on the day."

In the other semifinal, Tokoroa's Pacific Sharks (second) host Taniwharau (third) from Huntly with both those teams also fighting out close results during the round robin.

The reserve grade playoffs see the Eels reserve grade side travel to top qualifiers Central Lions in Rotorua, with Pacific also hosting Taniwharau in that grade.

Eels reserve coach Karl Mcneil believes he can win his game after coming off a close loss against the Lions two weeks ago.

In Division 1 semis, Taneatua Warriors head across to their neighbours to take on Kawerau's Putauaki Stags which promises to be a tight match with both teams sharing the spoils during round robin.

The winner will meet Mangakino Hawkes in the grand final the week later after the Hawkes graduated straight to the final when defeating the Stags in their preliminary.