Rugby: Season on the line for St Michael's

Marist St Michael's head coach Mike Lewis. PHOTO/FILE

With the top three in the Baywide division 1 already decided, the focus will be on Marist Park and the battle for fourth.

Marist St Michael's host Te Teko tomorrow with both teams needing to win to secure the all important fourth spot that would secure a place in the second round, Premier 2 competition.

If the game goes Marist St Michael's way, then a top four spot is assured. Even a win for Te Teko won't make Premier 2 rugby a certainty, they will be reliant on other results going their way.

Marist St Michael's head coach Mike Lewis stressed the importance of this weekend's match.

"This match is very important to us, as are all of our matches, but we want to finish the first round in form and head into the second round with some confidence."

Lewis said continued improvement would be a key focus this weekend.

"Our focus stays the same really. Week in week out we are looking to improve and put out a better performance than the week before," he said.

"We don't know a lot about Te Teko to be honest, and it is well over a year since we have played them. Tradition tells us they will be big and will want to dominate the collisions and the scrums, so we expect a physical battle, and will need to match them if we want to get the outcome we are after."

Te Teko have shown promise across the first round, but within the final weeks of the competition the side has been challenged with their draw.

This weekend they are again faced with a difficult task needing to secure a win.

Positive set pieces will need to be delivered with precision and the known Te Teko determination to ensure a victory over an in-form Marist side.

Baywide Division 1 Saturday:
(Kick-off: 2.45pm) Marist St Michael's v Te Teko at Marist Park, Kahukura v Waimana at Kuirau Park, Ruatoki v Ngongotaha at Tuhoe Park, Rangiuru v Katikati at Centennial Park, Waikite v Opotiki at Bellvue Rd, Papamoa v Judea at Gordon Spratt Reserve.