Heat turns up in premier contest

PLAYOFF PUSH: Waipu want more breaks like this one from Mike Tuiloma as they look to secure third place. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Business end of competition looming large

WAIPU have the opportunity to wrap up a playoff spot in the Bayleys Southern Districts Premier competition.

Provided other results go their way, a big win over eighth-placed Hora Hora will secure them third place, only trailing Old Boys Marist (OBM) and Mid Northern.

Given the difficulty of their last two games (Wellsford and Mid Northern), this weekend looms as a vital fixture.

The race for the last two finals berths became no clearer at the end of round 15.

Upsets wins by Mid Western (18-17 over Mid Northern) and Kamo (18-17 over Waipu) have left the ladder looking like Auckland's Southern Motorway at rush hour.

Nine teams still have a chance of making the playoffs.

While Waipu (46) have pretty much locked in one of the spots, Hora Hora (32) and Kamo (31) could sneak in by way of a slew of results going their way.

Mid Western venture to Wellsford in what shapes as the most important match of the round. They sit just two and four points outside the top four.

With Western Sharks travelling to leaders OBM, the winner of the fixture could give themselves a well-timed boost in the standings.

Both teams face current top-four sides in one of their last two fixtures following this round, so a win is integral to their post-season hopes.

Otamatea loom as a dark horse for the fourth spot.

Two of their final three games are against teams lower than them on the table; this weekend against cellar dwellers Hikurangi and Hora Hora in the last round.

They're only five points outside the top four, but have a very realistic chance of winning their final three games and catapulting themselves into the finals.

Meanwhile at the top of the table, with the shock loss to Mid Western last week came an end to Mid Northern's reign at the top of the ladder. OBM took top spot following their bonus-point win over Otamatea.

Both teams will be looking for strong finishes to finish with the best record going into the finals.

In other competitions, Moerewa and Kaeo will have different things in mind when the Bay of Islands Seniors sides clash in the penultimate round.

Moerewa will be looking to maintain top position on the ladder, while Kaeo will be looking to nab fourth spot off Kawakawa.

Kaeo are only one point behind Kawakawa but have a decidedly tougher run home, facing Moerewa and third-placed Ohaeawai.

Other games see Okaihau at Kerikeri, Kaikohe at home against Ohaeawai, and Otiria facing off with Kawakawa.

The Mangonui Senior competition has also reached its penultimate round, with Kaitaia locked in a battle for fourth position with Panguru. Both sit on 23 points and will face each other in the final round, but they will want to take the points this week.

Panguru have home field advantage against bottom side Aupori and Kaitaia take on second-placed Eastern.

Te Rarawa take on Awanui in the final match.