Three face battle to the death

City, Maungakaramea and Onerahi-Central will take no prisoners tomorrow - a loss will probably end their chances of making the final of Northland Cricket's premier grade one-day competition.
In the penultimate week of round robin matches, four teams - Kaipara Flats is the other - remain in title contention.
Unbeaten Kaipara are the only side that can afford to stumble when they play City at Cobham Oval, putting the pressure squarely on City to win after a disappointing loss - their first - to Maungakaramea last week.
"We felt we let ourselves down against Maungakaramea but we need to win this week to stay in the competition, so we'll be out to get their big guys out and score the runs," City professional Owain Hopkins said.
He said the chance to play on Cobham Oval for the first time this season would be another boost for the team and he was still optimistic about the chances of retaining their 2007 title.
He is hopeful that City's Northern Districts representative, Joe Yovich, will play for the side before disappearing south to Tauranga on Sunday for another Knights' pre-season match.
Yovich is recovering from an injury he picked up in Sydney recently and hasn't bowled off a full run in this week's warm-up match against the Auckland Aces at Cobham.
James Marshall and Brad Wilson will be available for Kaipara before appearing in the 40-over match between the Knights A and B sides on Sunday.
The other premier grade decider is just as important, with Maungakaramea hosting Onerahi-Central. Onerahi have been something of a surprise package in the competition to date and, like Maungakaramea, they have two wins as well as a loss to Kaipara.
Onerahi will be out to prove their two wins to date have been deserved but Maungakaramera at home will be favourites.
They will be without Black Cap Tim Southee this week but retain the services of Northern Districts opener Michael Parlane for the final time before the Knights' season starts in Dunedin on November 17.
Onerahi don't have the luxury of first class players yet but their Zimbabwean professional, Greg Strydom, has been in good touch with the bat and is one of a handful of players averaging over 50.
The good all-round form of Harry Darkins has also helped his side challenge in the competition and the young captain of the side is hopeful of a win over Maungakaramea.
"Hopefully, the boys will be able to pull a win out and we'll make it through to that final," he said yesterday.
Darkins said the match would be a tester for what was something of a transitional team with a number of promising young players joining their ranks this year.
"There's a few young guys coming through and the latest is Sean Doel, who is coming to us from Boys' High this week, so it'll be good to have him open the bowling," he said.
Kamo and Whangarei Boys' High School face off in the final match of the round, with both sides playing largely for pride in what has been a slow start for the teams.