Rugby: Crunch time for Kamo in bid to make top four

Blake Haora's Kamo side will be pushing hard for a vital Bayleys Premier victory over Western Sharks. Photo/Tania Whyte

There may still be eight matches to go in the Bayleys Premier round robin, but Kamo's clash with Western Sharks could be make-or-break for their season.

Kamo sit seven points adrift of fourth place on the ladder so they'll be itching to get a big win over the third-placed Sharks.

After a gutsy 17-10 win last week against Hikurangi, Kamo extended their winning streak to four but a win against one of the frontrunners in the competition is exactly what the doctor is ordering.

Meanwhile, the Sharks are coming off a strong 44-3 drubbing of Otamatea and will want to keep the distance between themselves and fourth-placed Hora Hora.

Hora Hora have the unenviable task of trying to end Old Boys Marist's unbeaten run in the Premier competition, which now sits at 19 victories.

Hora Hora have impressed after a slow start, but have lost two of their last three and will want to keep adding to their lead over Kamo.

OBM continue to stretch their lead with ease, coasting past second-placed Mid Northern last week and sending a message to the rest of the competition.

Mid Northern travel to take on Otamatea, with both sides wanting to make up for resounding round-10 defeats.

Mid Northern have been strong all season, so it's hard to imagine them being behind the eight ball for long.

Otamatea remain jammed in the tight middle of the table tussle. Just five points separates ninth-placed Otamatea from Kamo in fifth. A win here would elevate their shrinking odds of making the top four.

The final match of the round gives Mid Western an opportunity to break their 2017 duck when they face Waipu at home.