Football: Ngongotaha's fate in balance

Ngongotaha's Luke Barker (right) in action this season against Waikato Unicol. Photo / Ben Fraser

Ngongotaha AFC will know late tomorrow afternoon whether their title hopes are still alive.

Despite losing only one game from their 19 starts this season in the WaiBOP Premiership, Ngongotaha still remain second on the competition ladder.

They trail leaders Cambridge FC by seven points with two games in hand.

Cambridge play their final match of the season tomorrow at 2.45pm against Waikato Unicol, at home. They need to win to guarantee their first WaiBOP Premiership title.

If Cambridge lose or draw tomorrow though it will open the door for Ngongotaha.

Cambridge and Ngongotaha have been runaway title contenders and have both beaten each other once this season. The in-form Rotorua club still have three games to play this season, all away from home, including a match against Otumoetai tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, Rotorua United broke their losing streak last weekend with a win over lowly Tauranga City and will be looking for another three points against Melville United in Hamilton tomorrow.

Melville sit in third position on the ladder and will pose a tough assignment for Rich Barter's Rotorua United team.

The relegation spots have already been decided with Tauranga Boys' College and Tauranga City both going down to the WaiBOP Championship next year.

•Premiership points: Cambridge 55, Ngongotaha 48, Melville United 36, Tauranga Old Blues 34, Papamoa 29, Otumoetai 25, Matamata 23, Waikato Unicol 22, Rotorua United 22, Katikati 16, Tauranga Boys' College 14, Tauranga City 11.

Draw for Saturday
Premiership (2.45pm): Otumoetai v Ngongotaha, Fergusson Park; Melville v Rotorua United, Gower Park; Cambridge v Waikato Unicol, John Kerkhof Park; Matamata v Tauranga Old Blues, Matamata Domain.

Championship: 12.30pm: Cambridge v Kawerau Sports, John Kerkhof Park; Matamata v West Hamilton, Matamata Domain; Claudelands v Whakatane Town, Galloway Park; Te Puke United v Ngongotaha, Litt Park.