Rugby: Bayleys Premier trio make early noise

Jayd Kapa's Old Boys Marist are currently one of three unbeaten sides in the Bayleys Premier competition. Photo/Tania Whyte

Old Boys, Hikurangi and Waipu have shown their playoff credentials in the early stages of the Bayleys Premier competition.

All three sides have taken maximum points in their first three matches and, even in this early stage, are looking likely playoff contenders.

OBM are leading the way on points differential at +82, scoring 39 points a game.

Hikurangi (+44) and Waipu (+41) are also showing their attacking nous to average more than 30 points per contest.

Hikurangi take on Waipu at home which will give both sides a great indication of where they are placed going forward, while OBM take on the winless Kamo.

Kamo have not been far away from picking up wins, so to write them off purely because of their 0-3 record would be a massive disservice.

Kamo have lost their matches by a combined 15 points against good sides in Hikurangi, Western Sharks and Mid Northern, so a win shouldn't be too far away.

Elsewhere in the competition, Mid Northern and Western Sharks will be looking to continue to peg the leaders back in their respective clashes.

Mid Northern take on Wellsford, while Western Sharks have a match with Mid Western.

Both Wellsford and Mid Western have underwhelmed in the early stages of the competition but have potential to provide upset wins.

The final match pits Hora Hora against last-placed Otamatea.

Hora Hora have picked up one win so far (17-0 against Mid Western) while Otamatea have been let down by their defence in their three matches and will be hoping to reverse their fortunes.

Meanwhile, the Bayleys Championship is already throwing up contenders for promotion at the end of the year.

Awanui and Eastern are making noise in the North Zone while Moerewa/United Kawakawa and Tomarata are doing similar things in the South Zone.

There are eight unbeaten sides across the two zones which is likely to change this week.

Eastern will have the toughest fixture of the four top teams as they take on the also undefeated Ohaeawai/Okaihau.

Tomarata will also face their biggest test of the young season against Whangaruru who have picked up two early wins.