Rugby: Six teams still in the hunt in Premiership

Jason Young's Waipu line-up in the biggest match of the latest round of Bayleys Premier action when they take on Western Sharks. Photo/Michael Cunningham

With five rounds remaining, the battle for the final two playoff spots is heating up.

Old Boys Marist and Mid Northern have all but clinched the top two spots, with OBM carrying an unbeaten streak throughout the year.

However, there are still six teams in contention for the semifinals.

Western Sharks, Waipu and Hora Hora look best placed to take those spots but five weeks is a long time.

Wellsford, Kamo and Hikurangi are still with a shot and all will be hoping for big wins to aid their cause.

The key fixture this week will be Sharks taking on Waipu.

Sharks have been in a bit of a slump in previous weeks as injuries take their toll, losing five of their last seven matches.

Waipu, meanwhile, are riding a four-game win streak just at the right time of the year.
Hora Hora could end up being the big winners this week if results go their way. They take on Hikurangi who have faded after an impressive start to the season.

Hora Hora could firm up their place in the top four with a good home win.

Elsewhere Kamo and Otamatea line up in an intriguing match. Kamo have lost their last two matches, albeit to OBM and Mid Northern, but have been looking stronger as the season has progressed.

Likewise Otamatea has picked up their level of play over recent times and will be hoping to get revenge for the tense 35-29 loss they suffered against Kamo earlier in the season.

An Otamatea victory could make the road to the finals very tough for Kamo.

Wellsford will be hoping for an upset win over OBM to stay in the playoff hunt. Wellsford have also been resurgent this season but a match-up with the front runners will be their toughest test.

OBM, meanwhile, will want to maintain their unbeaten run as they near another finals run.

The final match, the "Battle of the Mids", pits Mid Northern against Mid Western.

Mid Western will want to get some form under their belt as they head into a vital promotion/relegation battle while Mid Northern will want to keep the distance between them and third.

Fixtures Bayleys Premier
Kick off is at 2:15pm
Hora Hora vs. Hikurangi at Hora Hora 1
Mid Northern vs. Mid Western at Hukerenui 1
Old Boys Marist vs. Wellsford at Old Boys 1
Otamatea vs. Kamo at Maungaturoto 1
Western Sharks vs. Waipu at Farmlands 1

Bayleys Premier Reserve
Kick off is at 12:30pm
Hora Hora vs. Hikurangi at Hora Hora 1
Mid Northern vs. Mid Western at Hukerenui 1
Old Boys Marist vs. Wellsford at Old Boys 1
Otamatea vs. Kamo at Maungaturoto 1
Western Sharks vs. Waipu at Farmlands 1