Premier 1 Preview for 1 July
She’s pretty tight at the top of the Premier 1 table with only 7 points separating Northcote (54),
Massey (53), Silverdale (49)and Takapuna (47). Massey host the Coasties in the last round of games
of the competition before play-offs and will be looking to emulate the thrashing they handed out at
Dale Park in April and confirm a top 2 finish. Silverdale have steadily moved on from then and will
want a win to also make the top 2. Northcote are away to Kumeu and should put away the
Riverhead crew comfortably and end Kumeu’s hopes of a top 6 finish to have a shot at the
championship semi’s. Takapuna will be looking to shelve Marist at Onewa and will retain a top 4
finish regardless. Shore will travel to Warkworth and secure a win that should see them jump
Kumeu into 6 th place. Glenfield host Bays who should win the game and can’t lose 5 th place.
Next week on Saturday 8 July the play-offs occur to confirm the teams for Championship and Plate
semi-finals and the Bowl finalists. 1 and 2 will have the bye and 3 will play 6, with 4 taking on 5 to
decide the lower qualifiers for Championship semi’s and, 7 play 10 with 8 versus 9 to confirm the
lower qualifiers for the Plate semi’s rounding out the day. The winners then carry their ranking from
the competition forward to the Championship and Plate semi’s on 15 July which decides who plays
who and where, with the top seed side of the fixture hosting. The Championship final is at QBE
Stadium 22 July.
1 st XV Preview for 1 July
Westlake continue their march to finals with 9 wins from 9 and almost maximum bonus points for 44
points overall. Rangitoto (40) and Rosmini (35)are close-ish behind with Rangitoto ahead having won
a mid-week fixture vs Massey which they played early. The other three mid-week fixtures for last
week are deferred to the holidays which start next week so Rosmini has a game in hand to close up
on Rangitoto. Takapuna is back in 4 th spot on 24 points but 9 points ahead of improving Massey
(15) pushing for a Championship semi-final spot. Birkenhead is having its best season in 1A with
three wins and 12 points with Whangarei not as good this season 7 th on 7 points and injury depleted
are last Orewa on 4 points. Orewa will be seeking some redemption to turn their season around on
Saturday 1 July hosting Takapuna whom they lost to 21-0 in the first round. Rosmini should be too
strong for Whangarei at home, Westlake will be looking to put away Rangitoto at home after Rangi
held them to 14-0 in horizontal rain previously. Massey will have revenge on their minds when they
host Birkenhead who achieved a famous victory over the Westies in round 1.
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