Aces have high hopes

BIG MATCH: The Rotorua Aces play their semifinal match against Thames Valley today. Pictured is Rotorua Aces player Miri Raharui, getting away from a Taupo player earlier this season. PHOTO/BEN FRASER A-280614BF14

The Rotorua Aces women's team will travel to Thames Valley with the hope of making the 2014 grand final.

The Aces finished the regular season in third place in the Midlands intercity women's competition this year.

They hit the road today to play their semifinal match against Thames Valley, who finished second in the six-team competition.

So far this season the teams have played only twice, with Thames Valley winning the first meeting 3-2 before the Aces reversed that scoreline in Rotorua.

The winner of the semifinal today will play the winner of the other semifinal between Bayleys Otumoetai and Franklin Barbarians.

The final will be played in Counties Manukau next Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the Midlands intercity men's competition, the Rotorua Aces will meet the Rotorua-based Bay of Plenty Indians today in a local derby match at Smallbone Park.

Both clubs missed the semifinals this year and are playing off for fifth place.