Semi Final time

Semi Final 1: Takapuna vs Northcote. Two very different paths to the semis here. Takapuna have only dropped one game this season and have looked poised for this game for along time. With a great kicking game, a workhorse forward pack and some real steel in their backline, Takapuna have shown their intent from the get-go. Nothing flashy - but have done the job time and again. Northcote have come in through the back door, after a solid start to the season, they have drifted off the pace in recent weeks and found themselves outside the top 4 heading into the knock-out phase last week. Having lost their final match of the regular season to ECB, Northcote had to face them again last weekend. A very tough encounter followed with neither forward pack giving an inch and only the magic boot of  steering them home in golden point extra time.

Semi Final 2: North Shore vs Massey. Picking this as the game of the round. Two big forward packs and classy back lines make this match impossible to pick. Injuries have plagued both sides in recent weeks, with Massey also losing some players to Blues duties. If Adrian Smith is good to go, then that may tilt the favourites tag in Massey's favour, but this one will be close.

Semi Final 3: East Coast Bays vs Western Pioneers. Can't see ECB dropping this game albeit they had a devastating loss last week to Northcote and will still be wondering why they aren't at the big dance. Combine that with Western's last hurrah as their franchise winds up and it may not be such a one horse race.

Semi Final 4: Glenfield vs Silverdale. Another tough match up to predict. It was a surprise to many to see how easily Massey accounted for Glenfield last week, something the boys from Kaipatiki will not want repeated again. Silverdale have shown glimpses throughout the year, but have yet to turn these glimpses into an 80 minute effort to be really proud of - tomorrow maybe that day...

Plate Final: Two teams that really have done it tough this year, taking a fair old flogging on more than one occasion. Marist, albeit rooted to the bottom of the table all season get our vote here as the team to beat as they have introduced some new talents and bought back an old favourite and it seems to be working for them.