Last Round Humdinger Expected In Hardham Cup

Hardham Cup followers will be on the edge of their seats during this weekend's last round set of matches to determine the make-up of the semi-finals, with an exciting end to the round-robin predicted.

Heading into the closing round, the four Premier Swindale Shield teams occupy the semi-finals places, but both the Marist St. Pat's and Northern United B teams are still alive in the last week, with only Johnsonville and Rimutaka playing for pride in round seven.

The outcomes of three out of the four Hardham Cup encounters this weekend could affect the composition on the playoff contenders a week from now, with only the outcome of the Rimutaka and Tawa clash unable to upset the status quo. Unbeaten Tawa have already qualified for a home semi-final at Lyndhurst Park while bottom placed Rimutaka will be hoping to end the season with their first win of the second round in this match at Maoribank Park.

In contrast, much interest will centre on picturesque William Jones Park between Wainuiomata and the Wests Roosters, where the home team will be playing to secure the second home semi-final spot alongside Tawa and where the Roosters still need to pick up points to secure their place in the top four.

Last week the Roosters enjoyed a healthy 56-5 win over Rimutaka, which was their biggest win of the 2008 season in more ways than one. Not only did they finally break out and realise their attacking potential, but they have also avoided any potential relegation heartaches this week and propelled themselves back into contention.

That victory for Wests saw them move ahead of Marist St. Pat's B and for the first time all four Swindale Shield sides are inside the top four after MSP B and Northern United B both appeared to be heading for the semi-finals throughout the middle stages of the second round.

But if the Roosters lose to Wainuiomata or pick up any bonus points then the Hardham Cup could take a dramatic twist on the last day. For that to happen, Marist St. Pat's will need to beat Avalon in their match at Hataitai Park where third placed Avalon are not safe either should they fail to collect any points in this match and Norths could also grab fourth ahead of Wests if they beat Johnsonville by a bonus point at Helston Park. A bonus point win for Norths and a Wests loss without any points would see Norths draw level with Wests on 16 points, but qualify ahead of them courtesy of their 24-18 win when they two sides met earlier in the round.

Meanwhile in last round Jubilee Cup action this weekend, third placed Northern United and fourth placed Poneke square off at Kilbirnie Park, where the loser could miss out on the playoffs if Oriental-Rongotai can defeat Upper Hutt at Maidstone Park. In other games in the Hutt, Petone host Old Boys-University and Marist St. Pat's will be aiming to finish the second round unbeaten and win the Andy Leslie Trophy against Hutt Old Boys Marist at the Hutt Recreation Ground.

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