League: Ngongotaha, Forestland set for a knockout clash

Sudden-death rugby league has arrived in Rotorua, with two premier clubs fighting it out to make the top four.

Forestland (Tokoroa) and Ngongotaha, who sit in fourth and fifth position on the table, face off this weekend in the last round of regular season action.

The winning team will play in the semifinals next weekend while the losing side will receive the wooden spoon in the Bay of Plenty District Rugby League premier competition.

Tomorrow's match promises to be a great battle, with the game scheduled for 2.30pm at Puketawhero Park.

Meanwhile, league-leaders Pikiao face off against second-place Pacific tomorrow in Tokoroa.

Rotorua-based Pikiao have all but sealed the regular season title and are looking to build momentum into the finals series.

Pikiao coach Doug Unuwai said they would be up for the challenge against Pacific.

"It's like I say to our players, take every game as a final. You can't take anyone lightly this late in the year."

He said Pacific have the potential to be in the grand final later this month and it would be good to beat them this weekend.

However, he said his team did have the option to rest a couple of key players before the playoffs if they wished.

Unuwai, who has just come out of hospital following surgery, said he was looking forward to the playoffs after being away from the team for a couple of weeks.

Pikiao will be doing Taupo a favour if they win tomorrow, with Pacific slipping down to third if they lose.

Pacific are currently one point above Taupo, but Taupo have the bye which means an automatic two competition points.

The first round of the playoffs next weekend will see the top two teams playoff for a spot in the grand final, while third and fourth battle for a place in the semifinal.

The grand final is set for Saturday September 24 at Puketawhero Park.

The reserve grade regular season also comes to a close this weekend with Central taking out the regular season title.

Central have only lost one game this season, a loss they suffered last weekend to second-place Mangakino.

However, Central will still head into the playoffs as favourites.

Reserve grade draw tomorrow:

Pacific v Pikiao (Memorial Park), Turangi v Taupo (Turangi), Tauhara v Mangakino (Hickling Park), Putaruru v Reporoa (Putaruru), Central bye.

Premier points table:

• 
  Pikiao 23
• 
  Pacific 21
• 
  Taupo 20
• 
  Ngongotaha 10
• 
  Forestland 10 (two points for a win)