Ngongotaha look to upset Hamilton

TOUGH TEST: Ngongotaha Chiefs player Etuate Wainiqolo and his side face top of the table Hamilton City Tigers today. PHOTO/FILE

Ngongotaha Chiefs manager Andrew Taylor is willing his players to perform "out of their skin" to get a result against the top team in the Waicoa Bay premiership.

Eighth-placed Ngongotaha take on first placed Hamilton City Tigers, at home today and are looking to redeem themselves after a 72-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture. The host side come into the game with less match time after last weekend's clash with United was cancelled due to a tangihanga.

However Ngongotaha did win their previous game 32-30 away at Turangawaewae.

The unbeaten Hamilton City Tigers won 28-24 away at Otumoetai Eels last Saturday - their eighth win of the season, along with two draws and a bye.

"It is a huge challenge for us to face but we are all looking forward to it," said Taylor.

"We do not feel intimidated by the Tigers' record so far. They are a team to beat and we need to be knocking the bigger sides off their perch if we want to push up the table.

"Everyone is feeling positive and we have some momentum going forward. It would have helped playing last week but we used it as recovery instead. There is always a first time for Tigers to lose but to get a result there must be an all round strong performance, especially in our defence play."

It will be a surprise result if Ngongotaha pull off a win having recorded two wins, six losses and a bye.

Hamilton Tigers top the table on 20 points, with a four point cushion over second placed Taniwharau.

The away side also have the best attacking record in the division - scoring 387 points and the second best defensive record, conceding 138 points.

Elsewhere fifth-placed Pikiao Warriors will take on third placed Pacific Sharks away.

Pikiao coach Henry Lingman said the squad was in a positive frame of mind despite a narrow 22-20 home defeat against Taniwharau last weekend.

"We didn't get the win but we have sent out a message to the top teams," he said.

"There has been great improvement over the last few weeks and we are playing with a lot more patience in build up.

"I am confident we can get a win this weekend with the quality and spirit in the team at the moment."

Today's games

Waicoa Bay Premiership
(Kick-off 2.45pm)

Ngongotaha Chiefs v Hamilton City Tigers, Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

Pacific Sharks v Pikiao Warriors, Memorial Park, Tokoroa

Taupo Phoenix v Otumoetai Eels, Hickling Park, Taupo

United v Turangawaewae, Resthills Park, Hamilton

Taniwharau - Bye

Waicoa Bay Reserves
(Kick-off 1pm)

Central Lions v Hamilton City Tigers, Patterson Park, Ngaruawahia

Pacific Sharks v Pikiao Warriors, Memorial Park, Tokoroa

Reporoa Razorbacks v Otumoetai Eels, Hickling Park, Taupo

United v Turangawaewae, Resthills Park, Hamilton

Taniwharau - Bye

Bay of Plenty/ Coastline Division 1
(Kick-off 1pm)

Papamoa Bulldogs v Tauhara Te Maunga, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Papamoa

Taneatua Warriors v Mangakino Hawks, Taneatua Domain, Taneatua

Putauaki Stags - Bye