Finally, an end to Coasties’ speculations. The last games of the extremely close Ngati Porou East Coast preliminary club rugby competition round will be played on Saturday. Saturday will also bring to an end a preoccupation of Coast rugby fans in recent weeks — working out the permutations of thetop seven clubs and particularly who will make up the top four for the semifinals.
Certainly Uawa are well ahead on 41 points, and guaranteed of a home semifinal. But the next six clubs have nine points between them. Two games on Saturday will affect semifinal chances. Both will be well worth watching.
The first is the TVC clash with Ruatoria City at Whangaparaoa. For City a win, or for TVC a bonus-point win, would earn second place in the preliminary club competition and a home semi. The loser will probably be out of the semis. Both City and TVC started the season strongly, had a soft patch midway through, and have come back hard in recent weeks.
Both have strong defence, but otherwise they play very different styles of rugby. City are more disciplined and play tactical rugby to gain a margin on their opponents, while TVC are exhuberant, have some skilled players who can turn a game around, and can rack up a high score when they get going. TVC have great community support at Cape Runaway, and they will relish the home advantage on Saturday, particularly if the heavy rain of last weekend is repeated.
It’s between Tokararangi and Tokomaru United to take a bonus-point win from their clash at Tokomaru Bay Domain on Saturday to gain a spot in the semis. Again, no joy for the losers. Winners of last year’s final, Tokararangi, play an entertaining style of rugby, can rapidly turn defence into attack and now have their key skilled players back. They will be fiercely determined to have a spot in the semis.
Tokomaru United have had a superb season, but have gone off the boil lately. They have a group of players who work well together, and an effective goal-kicker in Jason Babbington when he’s having an “on” day. They have the home advantage, and the thought of a place in the semis will get them going.
The other two games on Saturday will not affect positions in the semifinals. Hicks Bay will host Tawhiti with the wooden spoon at stake. That said, both teams have turned out every week only to lose, and continuous repetition of this must be dispiriting for the players. They will be looking forward to next year when their rebuilding will reap rewards.
Uawa travel to Rangitukia to play Waiapu, who have been unlucky in a couple of games this year and cannot make the top four.
Hikurangi’s current second place on the table ensures them a place in the semis, but not necessarily a home semi. They have the bye on Saturday, and will just have to sit and wait till the fat lady sings.
