Rugby: Four teams within four points ahead of Premier finals

Kamo captain and halfback Mac Sykes will need another big performance from his team against Waipu. Photo/Tania Whyte

With just a pair of rounds remaining, the battle for finals positioning in the Bayleys Premier competition is still rife.

Old Boys Marist and Mid Northern have both secured home advantage for their semifinals, but they can play a big part in who they face come July 22.

OBM take on Western Sharks, who sit just one point off fourth-placed Hora Hora, but a loss here could be devastating for the Sharks.

After their loss to Hora Hora last week they'll be desperate for a reversing of fortunes.

Life isn't much easier for Hora Hora, who face Mid Northern away from home. Again a loss will be damaging but they should be confident of picking up the result given their play in the last couple of months.

There is another monumental match taking place this weekend: Waipu vs. Kamo.

Waipu are currently in the box seat to clinch third spot and a win here would secure it, but Kamo have it all to play for as they are just four points off their opponents and two away from Hora Hora.

The playoff battle has been as intense as it has been exciting.

There are too many different scenarios to list but there is a chance three of the four teams could come away from the penultimate round with no points.

Wellsford still has the slimmest of chances too, sitting five adrift of the top four.

But with a winnable fixture against Mid Western at home this weekend, they could put themselves in prime position to snare an unlikely berth.

The other match sees Otamatea attempt to overtake Hikurangi in the eighth position as promotion/relegation nears.

Hikurangi started the season off with a hiss and a roar but haven't been able to match their early season results while Otamatea have looked better in the latter stages of the 2017 season.

Meanwhile the race for top position is still rearing its head as Mid Northern and Kamo continue their back and forth.

Kamo take on fourth-placed Waipu, who face a fight to hold on to their spot against Mid Northern's opponents this weekend - Hora Hora.

Just one point separates Mid Northern from Kamo while Waipu holds a five-point buffer over Hora Hora.

Meanwhile OBM take on Western Sharks, Otamatea face Hikurangi and Wellsford clash with Mid Western.